A security guard has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter in relation to the death of Sione Lau’i Feo.
‘Atonio Moeaki appeared in Nuku’alofa Supreme Court on September 27, where his counsel entered not guilty pleas on behalf of his client for three charges: murder, manslaughter and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, Taimi ‘O Tonga newspaper has reported.
Moeaki has elected a trial by jury and will reappear in court next year, the paper said.
Feo died in Vaiola Hospital on February 16, seven days after he was found unconscious outside Nauti Ruby nightclub by police on February 9.
As Kaniva news reported at the time, Feo, who was believed to be in his 20s, was a dentist at Vaiola dental care services after returning from the University of the South Pacific in December 2017.
