16 April 2021

Kokomo's murder accused requests one-week adjournment for court case

| Albert McKnight
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Mourners outside Kokomo's

Mourners gather outside of Kokomo’s in Civic after Pitasoni Ulavalu was killed. Photo: Region Media.

The man accused of murdering a bikie boss in the Kokomo’s nightclub has had his case appear briefly in the ACT Magistrates Court.

Court documents for a man who has previously pleaded guilty to his role in the incident state Frederick Elijah Mercy Tuifua, 26, allegedly stabbed Canberra Comanchero’s commander Pitasoni ‘Soni’ Ulavalu with a knife during a brawl at Kokomo’s in Civic in July 2020.

Mr Tuifua has pleaded not guilty to murder.

READ ALSO Court documents allegedly detail night Canberra Comanchero’s boss was killed at Kokomo’s

He had his case heard in the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday (16 April), where Mr Tuifua’s lawyer said discussions had been held with the Crown and he had instructions on how to proceed.

However, he requested “slight” amendments to the draft statement of facts for the case which would take a week to resolve.

Magistrate James Stewart adjourned the case to 23 April for pleas to be entered.

Several other men have now entered pleas of guilty to their roles in the nightclub brawl.

READ MORE Three men admit roles in Kokomo’s brawl that led to death of Comanchero’s boss

Maximilian Ellis Kurt Budack, Matthew Rokosuka Vakatagi Kupu and Osaiasi Avanua Sydney Kupu have all pleaded guilty to a single charge of affray with five or more people present.

Early in February, a man who cannot be named was the first to plead guilty to a charge of affray over the brawl. He will return to court for sentencing later this year.

Another man who cannot be named is also charged with affray and will appear in court later this year.

None of the other men are accused of killing Mr Ulavalu.

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