Bradley Robert Dawson, a man from Memphis, Tennessee, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife, Christe Chen, during their honeymoon in Fiji in 2022. Dawson will have to serve at least 18 years before being considered for release. Justice Riyaz Hamza criticized Dawson for his disregard for Chen’s life and his behavior after the incident. Chen was found dead in their room at the exclusive Turtle Island resort with multiple blunt trauma wounds to her head. Dawson fled the scene by kayak to a nearby island.
Despite pleading not guilty, Dawson was convicted of the murder after an eight-day trial. His lawyer argued that the prosecution had insufficient evidence to convict him, pointing out that many of the couple’s personal belongings remained at the resort and Dawson had no injuries suggesting physical altercation. However, the judge ruled that Dawson was the perpetrator.
Under Fijian law, prisoners can apply for parole after serving a minimum term, but the lack of an effective parole option contributes to prison overcrowding. After serving 18 years, Dawson could apply for release through the national Mercy Commission or request his life sentence be reduced to a fixed term.
Dawson, who worked in IT at a nonprofit organization, had no prior criminal record in his home county. The couple stayed at the exclusive Turtle Island resort in the Yasawa archipelago, known for its luxury accommodations and remote location. Dawson’s sentence highlights the tragic end to their honeymoon and the legal processes in place in Fiji.
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