Molendinar, Queensland, Australia

Saturday 13, April 2007

 

Court told bouncer laughed over body

A LOGAN bouncer charged with murder after punching a drunken patron, laughed and joked while standing over the man's unconscious body, a court has been told.

Tevita Fifita, 44, was yesterday granted bail in Brisbane's Supreme Court over the death of fellow Logan man Sese Titoa after an altercation at the Meadowbrook Hotel, south of Brisbane, on March 31.

Mr Fifita was originally charged with grievous bodily harm, but the charge was upgraded to murder when Mr Titoa later died in hospital.

Crown prosecutor Don MacKenzie told the court Mr Fifita had shown no remorse after the incident, citing witnesses who claimed he was joking with other nightclub patrons, saying 'He got his result, eh?' while Mr Titoa lay unconscious on the ground.

The court was told a drunken Mr Titoa had tried to enter the hotel about 10.30pm that night but was stopped by Mr Fifita when he failed to produce ID.

An argument broke out before Mr Fifita allegedly let fly with a single punch, which sent the younger man falling to the floor, hitting his head.

The 22-year-old was rushed to Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital with bleeding of the brain, before dying four days later.

Mr MacKenzie said Mr Fifita had displayed a callous disregard for Mr Titoa's wellbeing.

"He was seen pointing to the victim and joking with other patrons," he said. "He has displayed a total lack of remorse for the victim, while the victim was lying there on the ground."

However, defence barrister Craig Eberhardt said his client was a 'placid and gentle' man with a loving family and no criminal record.

He said the bouncer had only thrown a half-hearted punch, and even then, only as a last resort. In an interview with police, Mr Fifita said he had had to act.

"I'm the only security guard here and I have to use excessive force to take him out with a punch," he said.

"If I'm going to get in trouble here, who is going to help me?"

When questioned on what he meant by excessive force, Mr Fifita described the punch as 'a bit of a jab'.

Justice John Helman granted bail to Mr Fifita with a $20,000 surety, pointing to the fact it would be a long wait behind bars with the trial not expected to take place until next year.

"I take into account the gravity of the charge, but also the fact that the applicant has no criminal history and he appears to be a man of good character," he said.

Mr Fifita, originally from Tonga, was ordered to surrender his passport and was told not to work as a security guard.

A committal hearing will be held at Beenleigh Magistrates Court later this year.