AN ISLAND MURDER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 117, 21 May 1942, Page 6

AN ISLAND MURDER

>■ ‘ ) TWO FIJIANS CHARGED SENTENCED TO DEATH. Suva, April 27. Crimes of violence involving Fijians are particularly rare. One oi the first cases for many years in which Fijians were charged with murder was heard at the Supreme Court sessions at Suva last week, when two Fijians, Josateki Vakalagi and Seru' Vorokitaki, were sentenced to death for the murclct ol a Chinese storekeeper. When the Chinese had been mising for some time and it was found that approximately £4OO was missing from his safe, the accused Josateki Vaxalagi. who had been spending money freely, was questioned. A search of his room disclosed a large sum in notes under his bed. He made a statement to the effect that he and his companion had gone for a walk one night and his companion had suggested that they should go and kill the Chinese and take his money. Accused's part in the affair, he said, was to wait outside and watch, and to whistle if anybody came. Later, in the Supreme Court, he sought to amend this to the effect that he had been told merely to wait outside, and that his part was neither tq watch nor whistle. According to Josateki Vakalagi. his companion went inside the store. After v. hat Josateki described as “the incident in the Chinese store,” they buried the body on the beach and distributed the money. His companion was arrested later on the eve of his wedding at a village near Suva.