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Court Report

MAN ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING WIFE

A man accused of assaulting his wife denied the second degree assault charge against him when he was arraigned in the High Court yesterday before Chief Justice Michael Kruse.

Samoa News is withholding the name of the defendant to protect the identity of the victim.  The defendant is charged with second degree assault a class D felony which carries a jail term of up to five years, a fine of up to $5,000 or both.

According to the government’s case, on June 2, 2012 police received a call from the LBJ hospital informing them about a female that was admitted into the Surgical Ward due to her injuries sustained from a fall resulting in a broken leg.

Police spoke to the victim at the hospital, who told them her husband punched her on the sides of her stomach and slapped her on the face.

She told police that when her husband slapped her, she lost her balance, twisted her leg, fell and broke her leg. According to the government’s case, a medical report has it that the victim suffered a fractured tibia, fractured fibula on her left leg and it would take up to three to four months until she can fully recover from her injuries.

The victim told police, her husband was upset because he was unable to meet up with his friend to buy marijuana because they had to return home due to the rain.

The government alleges the victim did not want to file charges against her husband because what he did was out of anger. The investigating officer questioned the defendant who said he was upset and that led to the assault. The defendant is scheduled to have his rep-trial conference on July 22, 2012. He’s represented by Assistant Public Defender Leslie Cardin, prosecuting is Assistant Attorney General Cecilia Reyna.

A BALD MAN AND TWO POTATO CHIPS

A man is facing a public peace disturbance charge on allegations that he took off with another woman’s shopping of potato chips. Laniselota Fiti of Mapusaga made his initial appearance in the District Court on Thursday before Judge John Ward.

According to the government’s case, police received a call from the victim reporting that a bald headed man took off with her shopping on an aiga bus.

The victim told police, Fiti grabbed the shopping and called her a whore in public and got on the bus. The shopping bag consisted of two Pringle chips. Court filings note the police officers responded to the call and pulled the bus over.

It’s alleged that when the officers got on the bus there were two bald headed men so the officers demanded the two men come with them to the police station.

According to the government’s case, when the bald men arrived at the police station, they both had shopping bags with chips in it. The victim identified the bald man who took her shopping who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Police then arrested the man on Wednesday.

The defendant was represented by Assistant Public Defender Karen Shelley while prosecuting was Assistant Attorney General Camille Philippe.

PX FOR HEARING IMPAIRED WOMAN NEXT THURSDAY

The preliminary examination status hearing for a hearing impaired woman from Aua who faces assault charges has been postponed for two weeks. Fualalemalo Salatielu is charged with second degree assault, endangering the welfare of a child and private peace disturbance (PPD).

The assault count is a class D felony which carries a jail term of up to five years, a fine of up to $5,000 or both. Endangering the welfare of a child is a class A misdemeanor punishable in jail for up to one year, a fine of up to $1,000 or both.

The PPD count is also a misdemeanor that is punishable up to 15 days in jail, a fine of $30 or both. According to the government’s case, the victim’s mother filed a complaint regarding her 11-year old son, who was allegedly assaulted by Salatielu.

Assistant Public Defender Leslie Cardin asked the court for a two week continuance while they attain the defendant’s school records and they will move for the court to have this matter be heard in family court. Judge Ward denied the request and scheduled the preliminary examination hearing for next Thursday at 1PM.

According to the government’s case a mother of an 11 year-old boy filed a complaint with police against the defendant after she allegedly assaulted her son.  

The government alleges the victim was arguing with his little brother and Salatielu intervened and punched the victim in the face. The victim then fell down, and it’s alleged that while the victim was on the floor, the defendant proceeded to kick the victim multiple times.

According to the government’s case, the victim got up and ran outside, however the defendant followed him and threw a rock at the victim which landed on his nose.

The 11-year old boy was taken to the hospital where he was hospitalized. According to the government’s case the victim suffered a nasal bone fracture, with bruising and swelling.

Salatielu has been in police custody since her arrest earlier this week. She’s released on her own recognizance with the conditions that she must live with her aunt  and cannot contact the victim directly or indirectly.

A sign language interpreter, who the court ordered to appear, was in court and she’s to appear again next Thursday for the preliminary examination hearing.