Manase Fainu, a hooker for the Manly Sea Eagles, was convicted guilty of stabbing a church youth leader after a fight outside a church dance in Sydney.
The 24-year-old entered a not guilty plea to injuring Faamanu Levi with the purpose of causing great bodily injury on October 25, 2019, late at night in Wattle Grove.
He denied stabbing anybody in his testimony before the District Court jury, claiming that he fled away in fear for his own safety when he heard the word “knife knife.”
However, it took the jury little over two hours on Thursday to find the defendant guilty.
While his attorney argued that he should continue to be on bail, the Crown promptly filed a detention motion.
The hearing is still going on.
Following a confrontation on the dance floor, the Manly Sea Eagles footballer and his companions were asked to leave an event hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to Crown Prosecutor Emma Curran.
Later, Fainu jumped a barrier to re-enter, and four of his companions then went up to Mr. Levi and started fighting, according to her.
When things seemed to be out of control, Mr. Fainu grabbed a knife from his pocket and stabbed Mr. Levi in the back, puncturing his lung and causing internal bleeding.
Not satisfied with only stabbing him once, (Fainu) proceeded to Mr. Levi’s front and swung the knife upward and in the direction of his face, cutting him across the eyebrow.
The court was informed that “he then rushed back to the automobile.”
That witness was provided by Ms. Curran. Tony Quach presented outstanding, convincing data in minute detail.
He claimed to have seen the accused’s face, slinged left arm, and furious expression with great clarity.
Mr. Quach said in court that he observed Fainu carrying a knife in his right hand, his elbow bent at a 90-degree angle, before pushing him and yelling “get out,” causing him to trip.
Mr. Quach said to the court that he witnessed Fainu stab Mr. Levi in the back after turning his focus back to the commotion where a “large man” was beating his companion.
Ms. Curran said that Mr. Quach had a clean, unimpeded view and that this was his first fight.
It’s not anything you’d likely forget.
Kupi Toilalo, a second witness who saw the altercation, testified that he saw a man in a sling approach his brother while wielding a knife.
Fainu said that he had no part in the altercation and that he fled in fear for his own safety when he heard the word “knife knife.”