Two senior military officers, Colonel Pita Driti and Immigration Director Viliame Naupoto took the stand today to mitigate on behalf of Navy Commander Francis Kean, who has been found guilty of manslaughter.

Naupoto told the court that Kean joined the naval forces as an ordinary shipment officer and later moved up the ranks before he commanded the respect of 300 naval officers.

He said the Navy commander is a very dedicated worker and very hard to be replace, looking at the experience needed to be the Commander of the Fiji Navy.

Former Land Force Commander Colonel Driti said Kean is a very trustworthy person, firm leader, keen worker and always obeying orders given by his superiors.

Kean's lawyer, Haroon Ali Shah also told Judge Justice Gerrard Winter that Kean proposed to set up a trust fund for Whippy's children however this was denied by Whippy's wife.

DPP's lawyer, Ashishna Prasad called John Whippy's wife in court today, who revealed that she had many sleepless nights after the death of her husband as she has to support them for education.

She said that they have an 8 year old daughter and a 6 year old son who are facing a bleak future after the sudden death of their father. Kean will be sentenced tomorrow morning.