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Court Report

FEMALE ATTACKER JAILED FOR SIX MONTHS

Natasha Uia has been sentenced to serve six months in jail as a condition of her five year probation, in connection with an assault last month in Pava’ia’i.

Uia, a 20- year old female was 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 felony assault is a class D felony punishable by up to five years in jail, a fine of up to $5,000 or both.

The defendant apologized to the victim, the court, the government and her family and asked the court for a second chance noting that she learned her lesson while incarcerated at the Tafuna Correctional Facility.

Richmond sentenced the defendant to five years in jail however execution of sentence was suspended under the condition that she serve six months in jail.

The defendant was also ordered to pay $230 for the victim's medical expenses, and attend and successfully complete an anger management course. The court also noted the defendant can be on school release if she’s enrolled at the community college.

Richmond said that the pre-sentence report points out that the defendant planned and waited to execute the assault on the victim. However the court is concerned about keeping the defendant in jail too long, given her age.

During the change of plea hearing, the defendant admitted in court that she struck the victim on her head with a beer bottle.

The defendant is represented by Assistant Public Defender Mike White, while prosecuting this matter is Assistant Attorney General Cable Poag.

ILALIO FALANI FACES WEAPON CHARGES

The government has filed additional charges against a man who allegedly discharged a firearm on Tuesday.

In addition to the public peace disturbance charge, Ilalio Falani is facing unlawful discharge of arms, possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of unlicensed firearms, which are misdemeanors and punishable with up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000 or both Unlawful use of a weapon is a class B misdemeanor that carries a jail term of up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $500 or both.   

According to the government’s case, Detective Ioane Paselio was assigned to investigate this matter and while at JS Mart in Lauli’i, he heard a loud noise and saw fireworks in the sky.

The detective said after the fireworks, he heard three bangs and shortly thereafter he heard two more bangs.

According to the affidavit, the detective said he heard the  sounds of a gun being fired coming from near the defendant’s residence.

It's alleged that when the detective proceeded to the defendant’s home, the defendant came out of the bushes near his house.

The detective confronted the defendant about the sound of gun shots, however the defendant denied knowing what he was talking about and said he did not fire a gun.

According to the affidavit while the detective was talking to the defendant, he could smell the odor of alcohol coming from his breath.

Police interviewed the defendant’s wife who allowed the officer to look around the house for the gun. The detective found a hand gun underneath tin roofing, in the area where the defendant had been drinking.

The defendant’s wife confirmed to police that it was her husband’s gun which police showed her.

According to the government’s case, the location where the handgun was fired by the defendant is within 30 yards of a church and several residences. The handgun confiscated from the defendant was determined to be unlicensed and illegal in the territory.