A man charged with attempted murder of a young woman who was shot in the face has been denied bail. 

The accused, Peter Tulaga Eliesa, will remain in custody until a hearing date is set when the matter returns to the Court for criminal mention on February 25.

The decision was delivered by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren, yesterday. 

Justice Tafaoimalo also ruled that the trial will go before assessors and particular facts of the case are not to be published. 

She told the Court that due to the public and media interest in the hearing, there will be a trial before the assessors. 

“Accordingly, the only part of this ruling that can be published on news media, on the internet, and other public platforms until the final decision of the trial is the result,” she said.

“There is just cause for the application to be remanded in custody and accordingly his application for bail is declined.”

Justice Tafaoimalo added it is important for the accused to have a fair trial before the assessors. 

Leota Tima Leavai represented Eliesa while Vei Fa’asi’i was the prosecutor from the Attorney General’s Office. 

Eliesa has been in custody since January 15 and he has been charged with one count of attempted murder, in connection with the attempted murder of Frysna Rimoni.