A 21-YEAR-old man charged with one count of murder could not take his plea yesterday after a psychiatric assessment report concluded that he was not fit to take it.
Fabiano Dakai appeared before judge Justice Daniel Goundar in the High Court in Suva accused of the murder of a 34-year-old security guard of Waidradra, outside Navua, on February 4, 2019.
The State had earlier requested a psychiatric assessment of the accused.
The court heard the report had concluded that Mr Dakai was mentally unwell and displayed mental symptoms.
The report also stated that Mr Dakai was not aware of his actions during the time of the alleged incident.
Defence lawyer Namrata Mishra informed the court that her client was in remand and was taken to the St Giles Hospital for therapy only.
State lawyer Sadaf Shameem said the State was waiting for the report so they could file information.
Justice Goundar told the court that there was a need to have an inquiry hearing before the court determined whether the accused should be admitted as a patient at St Giles Hospital.
Ms Shameem sought 14 days to see the State’s stance on whether to proceed with the charges or with the inquiry.
The case has been adjourned to June 10 for hearing to decide fitness to stand trial for the accused.
He has been further remanded.
