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Attorney for Siaumau Siaumau Jr. files motions to move case forward

Assistant Public Defender Mike White on Tuesday filed motions to dismiss four previous motions filed by Tautai Aviata Fa’alevao when he was representing Siaumau Siaumau Jr., accused in the deadly shooting of Police Detective Lt. Liusila Brown in front of the temporary High Court building in Fagatogo in July 2010.

 

Siaumau faces numerous charges, including first degree murder, two counts of attempted murder in the first degree on distinct victims, three counts of assault in the first degree against distinct victims, three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, two distinct counts of unlawful possession of an unlicensed firearm, and public peace disturbance.

 

The four motions that White moved for the court to dismiss were: the motion to dismiss defendant’s intent to raise an insanity defense; dismissal motion to disqualify Commissioner of Public Safety; dismissal of other charges and motion to suppress evidence.

 

According to White, he and Siaumau Jr had received all four previous motions prior to making the decision to dismiss them.

 

Deputy Attorney General Mitzie Jessop did not object to the move by White in this matter. The motion to dismiss the previous motions was granted by presiding Associate Justice Lyle L Richmond and Associate Judges Mamea Sala Jr and Muasau Tasina Tofili.

 

Siaumau Jr in this case is facing 14 counts, including one count of murder in the first degree; two counts of attempted murder in the first degree and seven weapons-related charges.

 

White told Samoa News after the court case that he intends to file separate motions, however first, they had to address the initial motions filed by the previous attorney in this case.

 

In the meantime, the Jury Trial for this matter is still scheduled to be held on November 4, 2014, four years after the government charged Siaumau Siaumau Jr.

 

Although the jury trial date has been set and is eight months away, Deputy AG Jessop and White both stated there are “ongoing negotiations” in this case. In numerous pre-trial conferences for the defendant, Richmond has repeatedly pointed out this matter has been pending in the court for a while and it needs to be moved forward.