Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Pathologist gives evidence in Tonga fatal beating case

Posted at 06:08 on 26 February, 2013 UTC

A New Zealand pathologist has completed his evidence at a preliminary court inquiry in Tonga into the death of New Zealand police officer Kali Fungavaka.

Mr Fungavaka died in August last year after being taken into police custody.

He had been arrested on a minor drunkenness charge while in Tonga for a family funeral.

Six people - five policemen and a civilian - have been charged with manslaughter and an alternative charge of causing grievous bodily harm.

The pathologist, Dr Fintan Garavan, is one of 32 witnesses giving evidence at the inquiry at the Nuku’alofa Magistrate’s Court.

He spoke about the victim’s injuries including evidence of blows to the head and strangulation.