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Court Report

PEACEFUL ELECTION SAYS DPS

It was a very peaceful Election day, according to the Department of Public Safety.  Police officials who were stationed at the Election Office to oversee the transportation of ballot boxes and watch over village voting stations and the safety of all Election officials said the process was a very smooth one. However, they note that they will have to do it all over again in two weeks says the Commissioner of Public Safety,

Samoa News understands that police officers started working from the early hours on Election day (2 a.m.) and did not get off until 2 a.m. yesterday morning.

Commander of the Traffic Division Ta’aloloioufaiva Captain John Cendrowski, who manned the highway, said there were no major accidents on the main highway, and just one minor accident, where an aiga bus backed up into another aiga bus. During the afternoon, there was hardly any traffic on the main highway, and Capt. Cendrowski hopes that it will be same during the runoff.

He noted that there were no complaints, no discrepancies and no accidents before or after the election.

MALCOLM DALLE CHARGED FOR STEALING, FORGING AND CASHING CHECKS IN NEW CASE

A man, Malcolm Dalle, is accused of stealing, forging and cashing checks belonging to Friendly Car Rental, and is also accused of similar conduct with Pacific Channel Samoa.

 Dalle was arraigned in High Court yesterday morning for the new case, which charges him with stealing and forgery. Both are class C felonies, punishable by imprisonment for up to seven years, a fine of up to $5,000, a fine equal to twice the amount of gain from the commission of said crime, up to a maximum of $20,00  or both fine and imprisonment.

According to the government’s case, on October 1, 2012, a businessman reported that a check had been stolen from his business, Pacific Channel Samoa and was cashed in the amount of $1,500. 

The victim told the police that on Sept. 20, 2012, the defendant came to his Vaitogi studio selling a TV and an Ipad for $300, claiming that he was leaving the island that night. 

It’s alleged a few days later an employee told the victim he heard the defendant was in trouble for stealing, forging and cashing checks from Friendly Car Rental.

The government claims this prompted the victim to check his checkbook, where he found that a check was missing.

The victim claims that when the defendant came into his studio to sell the TV and Ipad, that he must have stolen the check at that time.

Court filings state that when the victim contacted his bank, he found out the check had been cashed by defendant in the amount of $1,500. The victim confirmed with police that his signature was forged on the signature line and the defendant’s signature was on the back, endorsing the check. 

The first case against the defendant charges him with two counts of stealing, two counts of forgery and resisting arrest.

According to the government’s case, the defendant went over to Friendly Car Rental to make reservations and allegedly stole a box of checks while there. It is alleged that he later forged and cashed two of the checks — one at a local store, another at one of the local banks.

The defendant has denied the charges against him in both cases. The defendant is held on bail of $30,000 in the first case with an additional $10,000 bail set for the second case.

The defendant is represented by Assistant Public Defender Michael White while prosecuting is Assistant Attorney General Kimberly Hyde.

MALIE MAUI JR TO ENTER GUILTY PLEA

Malie Maui Jr., who’s been released on bail of $10,000 on allegations that he burglarized an apartment in Fogagogo last year May is scheduled to enter a guilty plea today.

Maui is charged with burglary, a class B felony punishable from five to fifteen years in jail. Details of the plea have yet to be made public given that it has yet to be read in open court.

According to the government’s case on May 30, 2011 a break-in was reported to the Department of Public Safety.  

The victim told police she was awoken by someone shining a flashlight or a torch in her lounge. She further states that she yelled at the defendant as to what he was doing in her apartment, and the defendant opened the door and left.

The government claims the victim went after the defendant to find him standing outside her front door. The victim asked the defendant why he was in her house, but the defendant apologized and said his name is John Aitui. It’s alleged the victim yelled for assistance to the landlord, whose office is next door.

Police received a tip that Maui was involved, and they proceeded to meet with the defendant. it's alleged the defendant admitted to police that he broke into the victim’s apartment and gained entrance through a screen wire on the window which he tore. The defendant noted that he had already apologized to the victim in this matter.

The defendant is represented by Mike White while prosecuting is Assistant Attorney General Cecilia Reyna.