The High Court in Labasa ruled this morning that a 31 year old Bua man who killed his 14 month old daughter in a ritualistic sacrifice to save the spiritual lives of the people of Lekutu district, did so whilst being insane.

High Court Judge Justice Daniel Gounder overturned the opinions of the assessors who found Beni Salagi guilty of murder yesterday.

Judge Gounder in his ruling states that he finds Salagi not guilty by the reasons of insanity.

He further stated that he finds the assessors opinion of guilty of murder are against the weight of compelling and unchallenged medical evidence adduced at the trial that Salagi at the time of committing the offence, was harbouring under a defect of reason, from disease of the mind, as not to know what he did was wrong.

He ordered that Salagi be held in the custody of the Saint Giles Hospital until such time the President orders his confinement in a place of safe custody.

The incident took place last year.

31 year old Salagi believed his daughter was possessed so he punched her to exorcise her of evil spirits.