A key witness in the trial of a 19-year-old girl accused over an incident that killed two young men last year has maintained that he was not the driver.
Fa’atoia Tupu insisted yesterday that it was the accused, Leslie Kohlhase, who drove the vehicle on that morning when the crash happened at Vailoa.
Mr Tupu was recalled to the witness stand yesterday where defence lawyer, Lei’ataualesa Daryl Clarke, again questioned him about being the driver.
“It was you behind the vehicle wasn’t it?”
Leiataualesa asked to the witness.
“I am against this evidence.”
It was the second time Mr Tupu had given evidence in the hearing.
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Yesterday, lawyer Leiataualesa asked the Court to recall Mr Tupu since they had new evidence that it was he, who drove the vehicle.
Chief Justice Patu Tiava’asu’e Falefatu Sapolu granted the application despite the prosecution objecting.
Mr Tupu, 21, of Sinamoga, was among the four people in the vehicle that crashed at Vailoa, killing Jessie Risale, 22, of Vaimoso and Thesaurus Heather, 20, of Tufuiopa.
Kohlhase has pleaded not guilty to two counts of manslaughter and two alternative charges of negligent driving causing death.
Her lawyer Lei’ataualesa is being assisted by Leilani Tamati.
The prosecution team consists of Precious Chang and Leone Su’a Mailo, of the Attorney General’s Office. Chief Justice, His Honour Patu is presiding over the assessor trial.
Two doctors also gave evidence yesterday. They were Dr Agape Amituana’i and Dr Salote Vaai.
Dr Amituana’i told the Court that when Kohlhase was brought to the hospital, she was “crying” and was “emotionally distressed.”
Smelling of alcohol, the doctor said she “was very upset and didn’t want to be touched by strangers.”
Dr Va’ai examined Mr Risale. She told the Court that Mr Risale had obtained severe injuries to his head and face. By the time he had arrived at the hospital, he had already lost a lot of blood. She confirmed that the deceased man had died as a result of trauma to the brain, causing internal bleeding.
The hearing, which is into its second week, continues.
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