The assessors in the Nimilote Verebesaga murder trial have retired behind closed doors to decide the fate of soldier, Private Maika Vuniwawa, who has been charged with the murder of Verebesaga.

Judge Justice Daniel Gounder, in his closing statement, told the five assessors to put aside all prejudice and personal feelings, apply common sense and consider the evidence given in court.

He also reminded them, that the fact that Vuniwawa had stood up in court and given an unsworn statement saying he did not assault Verebasaga does not prove his guilt or innocence.

Earlier, State Prosecutor Wilisoni Kurisiqila in his closing submission said that the welfare of the people is the Supreme Law of the Land and the military and the police have a duty to ensure this, stressing that on the night of Verebasaga's death, the accused Maika Vuniwawa broke the trust and denied him of all rights.

He said there was no judge, no trial, no assessors but Vuniwawa himself, who tried, convicted and sentenced Verebasaga to death.

Meanwhile, in his closing remarks, defense Counsel Haroon Ali Shah pointed out that the prosecution has not shown real reasonable doubt that there was a motive or any animosity by the accused or any real medical evidence to prove that Verebasaga's injury was caused by Vuniwawa.

He had urged the assessors to put aside all personal feelings towards the RFMF and the sentencing of soldiers in the Rabaka case in Lautoka and to find his client not guilty.