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Court Report

MARK MULIPOLA ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING HIS FATHER WITH MACHETE

 

The government is looking at filing felony charges against Mark Mulipola of Malaeimi on allegations that he struck his father with a machete on Sunday around 1:00p.m. Mulipola made his initial appearance in the District Court, however the court remanded him back to the custody of police for 48 hours while the government prepares the official charges in this matter.

 

According to court filings, police received a call from a resident in Malaeimi, who lives near the area where the incident occurred, requesting assistance and also asking for Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

 

According to the government’s case, the defendant is mentally challenged. The defendant was apprehended and was placed under police custody at the Tafuna Correctional Facility.

 

Court filings say the father asked the defendant to fetch herbs for medicine and he refused, so the father instructed his other children to get the medicine.

 

It's alleged after the father massaged his patient (fofo Samoa) and the patient left, the defendant fetched a machete and struck his father on the head, back and his left arm, which the father put up to protect his face. The father is currently admitted to the LBJ surgical ward, following emergency operations conducted due to the severity of his injuries.

 

FUALAAU TUUA CHARGED FOR FORGING CHECKS

 

A woman in her 20’s has been charged with forgery and stealing which are both class C felonies, punishable up to seven years in jail, a fine of up to $5,000, a fine equal to twice the amount gained from commission of said crime up to $20,000 or both fine and jail time.

 

Fualaau Tuua was arrested last Friday and made her initial appearance in the District Court yesterday with her bail set at $20,000. She’s represented by Assistant Public Defender Karen Shelley, while Assistant Attorney General Lornalei Meredith is prosecuting.

 

According to the government’s case, on November 2, 2012 head of security at the American Samoa Community College contacted DPS on allegations that the defendant stole a check from the business office and cashed it at the Family Mart in Nu’uuli.

 

Court filings say the Family Mart owner went to the ASCC Business Office and showed an expired check that was cashed at his store and arrangements were made for a new check to be issued, however during the process of issuing the new check, it was revealed that the check was never picked up by the person who the check was made out to — the payee.

 

The owner of the check along with an employee at the ASCC Business office then went to Family Mart and saw footage of the person cashing the check, which revealed it was the defendant, say court filings. The defendant was identified as a student working at the Business office at the time.

 

According to the owner of the store, the defendant paid $500 after she learned that the business office had found out about what she had done. Court filings do not identify the amount of the check in question.

 

Tuua is represented by Assistant Public Defender Karen Shelley, while Assistant Attorney General Lornalei Meredith is prosecuting.

 

JUVENILE CHARGED FOR ALLEGEDLY STEALING A LIQUOR BOTTLE

 

A 17 year old boy has been charged with stealing a bottle of Bacardi from Cost U Less last week. The juvenile — whose name Samoa News is withholding due to his age — made his appearance in court yesterday morning.

 

The juvenile was caught by an employee, as the juvenile allegedly stuck the bottle inside his pants. It's alleged the defendant told police he had been told by a man named Herby to get the bottle and he would receive the money later, which is why he put the bottle inside his pants.

 

The defendant in this matter is represented by Assistant Public Defender Karen Shelley, while Assistant Attorney General Lornalei Meredith is prosecuting.

 

TERESA FALEALILI CHARGED WITH FELONY DRIVING

 

A woman, who has a previous conviction of driving under the influence (DUI), was found driving while her driver’s license was suspended, and made her initial appearance in the District Court yesterday. Teresa Falealili is charged with felony driving while license is suspended, a class D felony punishable from 90 days to five years in jail, a fine of $5,000 or both.

 

According to court filings, on May 26, 2013 the defendant was operating a vehicle and was speeding over the speed limit. Police pulled her over and the defendant failed to produce her driver's license.

 

Further investigation by Police Officer Siaosi Siuloa revealed the defendant is on probation for six months from a DUI in December, 2012. Falealili is out on bail of $500 and is represented by Assistant Public Defender Karen Shelley, while Assistant Attorney General Lornalei Meredith is prosecuting.