MACHETE ATTACKER

A man accused by the government of using his fist and then a machete to assault his wife, who suffered injuries, has entered a guilty plea in the High Court and will be sentenced June 2nd.

To protect the victim, Samoa News does not usually identify the defendant by name.

The 25-year old defendant, who remains in custody, appeared in High Court last Friday for his change of plea hearing, where he pled guilty, under a plea agreement with the government, to second degree assault by using a deadly weapon — a machete.

According to the plea agreement, which was accepted by the court, the defendant on Jan. 14th this year had first used his fist and then a machete to strike his wife in the face and her body, causing her bruises and cuts.

Second-degree assault is a felony, punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $5,000 or both.

When this case was in District Court in January this year, information revealed in court at the time, also states that the wife suffered bruises to many parts of her body, including her face, while her eyes had black bruises and were swollen. A Samoa News reporter inside the courtroom also noted the swollen eyes and that wife could barely open them.

FALANIKO STOWERS

Without reaching a plea agreement, the government’s case against a drug defendant will go to trial later this year.

Falaniko Stowers, aka Nicole, who is a ‘fa’afafine’ or transgender woman, and referred to in court documents as a male, and also as a “fa’afafine” — was in High Court last Friday morning for a pre trial conference hearing.

Stowers’ attorney Douglas Fiaui told the court that “we have not come to an agreement” and the court declared that the case goes to trial later this year, with both sides to be informed on the actual trial date.

Stowers, who remains in custody unable to post bail, is charged with one count each of unlawful possession of methamphetamine and unlawful distribution of methamphetamine — both are felonies. The government alleges that the defendant was dealing drugs out of a house in Fagatogo.

JOEITA FA’AALIGA

Territorial Correctional Facility inmate Joeita Fa’aaliga returns to the High Court in September for another hearing, after the one last Friday was continued, following a request by his attorney, assistant public defender Michael White.

Fa’aaliga was in court for two separate cases stemming from escaping twice from confinement last year.

White told the court that “we came to a plea” agreement, but another charge against his client has come up and requested a continuation.

However, the court reminded the defense that probation violations — referring to the charges of escaping from confinement — are not dependent on the new charge.

It wasn’t immediately clear what the new charge is against the defendant. Fa’aaliga was convicted and sentenced to serve 28 months in jail for felony stealing in 2013. The defendant was also given five years probation after serving the jail term under several conditions including that he does not violate any law.

Based on court information in 2013, the defendant entered the territory in 2012 under a 30-day permit and never returned to his home country of Samoa.