The accused in the murder trial of a kindergarten teacher has told the Suva High Court that he was in tears and wanted to hug his deceased partner when he had found her lying on the floor.
Imshad Izrar Ali is charged with the murder of his 34‑year‑old partner at their Howell Road home in Suva in 2009.
The woman was allegedly strangled to death inside her home.
Ali took the stand as a defense witness and stated that on the day of the alleged murder, he had left home early in the morning to attend a court case in Nadi.
He told the court that he had called his partner several times while on his way to Nadi but she had not answered her phone.
Ali told the court that he had also called the Samabula Police Station and asked them to check up on his house when his partner had not answered several of his calls.
He further told the court that upon reaching Ba, one of the parents of the kindergarten students had called him and asked if they were involved in an accident and had asked why the school was locked.
Ali says he had informed the parent that he was in Ba while the teacher who is his partner was in Suva.
Ali says upon returning to his partner’s Howell Road flat the next day, he had asked the landlord for spare keys, however the landlord had told him that he would open the gate in the presence of police officers.
Ali also told the court that he then sought the help of the Samabula Police Officers to be present when the gate was opened.
Ali says when they entered the house, they found his partner lying on the kitchen floor.
The trial will continue before High Court Judge, Justice Vinsent Perera tomorrow.
