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Court is firm: We need to stop this man from driving

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reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — An Order to Show Cause hearing for Chung Se Lee has been continued to Feb. 8

Chief Justice Michael Kruse wants to know if Lee complied with a previous order from the court, that he surrender his driver's license and not drive while his license is suspended. Lee was placed on probation after he was convicted of homicide by vehicle.

According to Samoa News archives, Lee struck and killed the infant child of his sponsor/employer while backing up his truck in Nuuuli back in 2013. He was subsequently sentenced to 20 months detention as a condition of a 5-year probation term.

While on probation, however, Lee was picked up and charged in District Court last November for driving under the influence (DUI). He has since pled 'no contest' to careless driving causing an accident — a probation violation.

In November, Kruse specifically stated that the court needed to stop Lee from driving. He then ordered Lee to surrender his driver's license and told him not to drive while his license is suspended. Kruse had told Lee directly, not to drive at all while his case is pending, and he is not to attempt to get a duplicate license from elsewhere.

Lee's case is now being handled by private attorney Talaimalo Marcellus Uiagalelei, taking over from counsel Matalupevao Leupolu Jr.

SUI TAGO

Chief Justice Michael Kruse wants attorneys from both sides in the case against Sui Tago to "do their research" and submit briefs regarding the fine that was imposed by the court.

Tago appeared in High Court last Friday for a disposition hearing.

He is accused of violating his probation when a new charge against him was filed in late November 2018.

Tago's  legal troubles dates back years. In 2009, he was convicted of conspiracy to commit burglary and receiving stolen property, both class C felonies. For each count, he was ordered to serve 28 months detention (56 months total) as a condition of a 14-year probation sentence which ends in 2023.

 While on probation, Tago was picked up after cops executed a pair of search warrants in Petesa and Tafuna last June. A body search of Tago netted a baggie containing meth. He was later charged with unlawful possession of meth and sentenced to 5 years imprisonment.

During court proceedings, Kruse wanted to know the status of the fine ($5,000 for each count) that was imposed on Tago. "What happened to that? Do we just forget about it?" the Chief Justice asked.

The Probation Office said they have no record of the fine ever being paid. Kruse said the imposition of the fines was never suspended, and added that there are "consequences" for such.

The Chief Justice has continued the matter to Feb. 8 so the attorneys can look into the issue.

CHRISTIAN SIAULAIGA

"You just got out of high school. If you want to wait in jail with the big boys, we can go that way." These were the words of District Court Judge FIti Sunia last Friday to Christian Siaulaiga, who was making his initial appearance on the charge of public peace disturbance.

The defendant, who has turned 18, was reminded that he is no longer is considered a juvenile and that means, if he breaks the law, he will be held at the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) "with the big boys," and not at the Juvenile Detention Center, until his matter is resolved.

Siaulaiga entered a 'not guilty' plea to the charge against him and his pretrial conference is set for Feb. 13

He was released on his own recognizance and ordered to remain law abiding, and comply with the standard conditions already set by the court. In addition, he is to stay away from the students of Nuuuli Vo Tech HS and he is not to set foot on any school campus in the territory.