Ads by Google Ads by Google

Court Report

MIKE KIM AND MOTAU SAMANI

The jury trial for Mike Kim and Motau Samani is now scheduled for June 6, 2012. The two men are implicated in connection with sexual charges involving a minor in 2010.  

The businessman is facing among other charges conspiracy to commit rape, while Samani is facing five counts, including conspiracy to commit rape.

The trial date was scheduled by Associate Justice Lyle L Richmond, who was accompanied on the bench by Associate Judge Mamea Sala Jr.

According to court filings, the alleged incident occurred on June 29, 2010 and the victim involved is a 17-year old girl. Its alleged Samani took the girl to Tumu’s apartments where he claimed that he had a job opportunity for the victim. The government’s case claims Samani left the girl at Tumu’s apartment where Kim allegedly had sex with her. According to the victim when the businessman was done, he gave her $100.

The third defendant in this matter, police officer Apisai Atoe, is accused of allegedly trying to cover up the alleged sexual incident when he asked the victim’s father to go to the police and withdraw his complaint against Kim. Atoe is charged with witness tampering and concealing an offense.

Deputy Attorney General Mitzie Jessop Folau said the government’s case against the police officer will follow after the trial for his co-defendants Kim and Samani. Kim is being represented by Fiti Sunia, while Samani is represented by Public Defender Ruth Risch Fuatagavi.

 KEIANA TALAESE

The government has filed additional charges against Keiana Talaese, who is a co-defendant in a drug case. In addition to the charge of unlawful possession of marijuana, Talaese is now facing escape from confinement.

According to the government’s case, when Talaese was taken into police custody for questioning, she asked to use the restroom. It’s alleged when Talaese went to the restroom somehow she slipped out and took off on foot. Police officers chased after the defendant and she was apprehended in front of the ANZ bank, not far from the Police station, which is located in Fagatogo.

Talaese is charged together with Vaoeli Lafoia, and Hefa Vahe. Court filings say police were responding to a public peace disturbance call on the Marina in Fagatogo , where it led to the arrests of Lafoia, Talaese and Vahe on alleged possession of marijuana.

KILISITINA SEIGAFO

The government will be presenting a plea agreement to the High Court in their case against Kilisitina Seigafo.

Seigafo who is in custody is accused of stealing a businessman’s wallet. She was released from custody a few months back after she agreed with the Attorney General's Office that if she was to make restitution to the businessman the government would not go forward with prosecuting the case.

However, a status hearing held Tuesday before Justice Lyle L Richmond revealed the defendant is yet to make any payment to the businessman.

According to the government’s case Seigafo is alleged to have taken off with the wallet of a man that gave her a ride after the two met at the hospital. It’s alleged the pair had a few drinks and then Seigafo took off with the man's wallet. She allegedly used the man's ATM card and withdrew $260 and she was caught on camera making the transaction at an ATM machine the same day the man lost his wallet.