FEMALE ATTACKER PLEADS GUILTY

Natasha Uia will be sentenced on September 22, 2012 following a guilty plea in the High Court yesterday morning.

Uia a 20-year old female who’s held on bail of $10,000 is facing charges of second-degree assault, public peace disturbance and underage possession of an alcoholic beverage. 

However in a plea agreement with the government, the defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree assault while the government dismissed the remaining charges.

The assault charge is a class D felony punishable up to five years in jail, a fine of up to $5,000 or both.

Associate Justice Lyle L Richmond who was accompanied on the bench by Associate Judge Mamea Sala Jr presided over this matter.

The plea agreement read in court says the defendant approached the victim about rumors, and struck her head with a beer bottle. Uia admitted in court that she struck the defendant on her head with a beer bottle. The government claims the victim suffered a laceration that required several stitches.

The defendant remains in custody on bail of $5,000 and is represented by Assistant Public Defender Mike White. Prosecuting this matter is Assistant Attorney General Cable Poag.

SEFO HYMIE DENIES CHARGES  

Hymie Sefo facing charges of first-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary in the first degree and stealing, in connection with the burglary of a store in Leone two years ago, denied the charges against him when he was arraigned in the High Court yesterday.

Sefo waived his rights to the reading of the charges against him during his court appearance. His is alleged to be one of three people involved in the Sept. 2009 robbery of FJP Kruse Inc, Store in Leone, according to the government.

Police found out during their investigation that three men, which included Sefo, were alleged to be involved in this matter — one of the men was an employee of Kruse’s store at the time of incident.

A court affidavit states that Sefo was terminated from Kruse’s store three months prior to the alleged break in.

Assistant Public Defender Karen Shelley represents Sefo who’s held on bail of $30,000, while prosecuting is Assistant Attorney General Cecilia Reyna.

MAN CHARGED IN FOUR DIFFERENT CASES IN HIGH COURT

Pre-trial conference for Joe Pitolau is now set for October 5, 2012 following his arraignment in the High Court. Pitolau is held in police custody on bail set at $65,000.

Pitolau is charged with four charges of burglary, four counts of stealing and property damage in some cases. The multiple charges stems from the four different burglaries that allegedly occurred between August to November 2009.

Pitolau’s arraignment was presided over by Chief Justice Michael Kruse.  

In first incident where Pitolau accused is alleged to have occurred at the Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Fagatogo on Aug. 27, 2009.

The second case occurred on Sept. 16, 2009, where the defendant is accused of breaking into the Department of Education E-rate office.

Police investigation reveals that Pitolau refused to make a statement in this matter, however a juvenile who accompanied Pitolau the night in question told police that they broke into the Erate office.

The third incident, the Wesley Book Store break-in occurred November 2, 2009.

The last case is a break in at the drug store November 12, 2009.

(See Toasivili, Sept. 1, 2012 for details of alleged four burglaries by Pitolau)