DEFENDANT IN ASSAULT CASE GETS SECOND CHANCE FROM COURT

A man accused of assaulting another man was sentenced to two years probation following a plea agreement with the government. Vaimalu Lameta was facing second-degree assault and Public Peace Disturbance, however in a plea deal with the government, Lameta entered a guilty plea to third degree assault, amended from second degree, while the government moved to dismiss the PPD count.

Sentencing was handed down by Chief Justice Michael Kruse Monday afternoon. During sentencing, the defendant apologized to the government, his church, his village, to the victim, his family and lastly to the court. Lameta asked the court for a second chance.

The Chief Justice asked the defendant if he had been convicted before, and the defendant responded yes. Kruse then asked what second chance the defendant was seeking from the court — given that he was given a second chance previously.

Samoa News notes the defendant’s previous conviction was a misdemeanor, and that matter was settled in District Court in 2012.

The defendant pleaded with the court that this time he’s really remorseful. The Chief Justice asked the defendant if he didn’t feel any remorse during the first account, to which the defendant responded “no, I did not feel anything”.

Kruse then asked the defendant as to what prompted the incident. The defendant replied, the victim had called him to come over to talk and he was not happy with what the victim said to him, so a fight broke out, and to his surprise the police showed up and arrested him.

Kruse sentenced the defendant to two years probation under the condition that he obtain a job within sixty days or he’ll be jailed. The defendant was also ordered not to consume alcohol, or enter any bar or tavern, nor congregate with those under the influence of alcohol.  Defendant was also ordered to undergo 300 hours of community service.

According to the government’s case, on July 30, 2012 a man walked into the Central Police Station and reported the defendant had allegedly assaulted him during a basketball game with the defendant. The court filings did not specify what prompted the fight.

BOGDAW TUILETUFUGA TO BE SENTENCED THIS FRIDAY IN ASSAULT CASE

 Bogdaw Tuiletufuga will be sentenced this Friday after he entered a guilty plea before the court on Monday. The defendant was facing two counts of second degree assault, however, in a plea deal with the government, the defendant pled guilty to third degree assault while the remaining count was dismissed.

Chief Justice Michael Kruse accepted the plea agreement and scheduled sentencing for this Friday. According to the government’s case a woman, in an attempt to stop a fight between Tuiletufuga and another man during a drinking session, was hit on the head with a flashlight allegedly thrown by Tuiletufuga.

The woman is the sister of co-defendant Sealiitu Mauga. Mauga was sentenced last week to time served and was slapped with a $1,000 fine. The government claims the woman suffered bruises, swelling and substantial pain, as well as a cut on her head that required eight stitches.

Court filings say, Mauga struck Tuiletufuga on the head with a beer bottle and punched him on the face and body with his fists. Tuiletufuga sustained two lacerations on his head, a fractured finger, bruises and substantial pain. It's alleged Mauga also struck Tuiletufuga’s vehicle with a shovel, leaving damages that were estimated at $3,856. 

VALLEN MATUAUTO DENIES ALLEGATIONS

Vallen Matuauto, who is believed to be the mastermind behind a burglary in Satala that occurred last year, was arraigned in the High Court yesterday on charges of first degree burglary and stealing. He’s held on bail of $20,000 and is represented by Assistant Public Defender Mike White. The defendant was arraigned before Chief Justice Michael Kruse who scheduled pre-trial conference in this matter on July 12, 2013.

According to the government’s case on Jan. 5, 2012 around 4:00a.m, police received a call reporting an alleged burglary taking place at a store in Satala and police officers responded to said call.

Court filings say the perpetrator had broken in through the back door and police officers found pieces of ice cream and wrappers on the floor and some shoes that had been for sale were missing off the shelves, along with cigarettes allegedly taken. 

Court filings further state that during the investigation of a different burglary, the defendant’s name was mentioned as a possible suspect in this matter and the defendant agreed to speak with the police. Sgt Siliaivao Sea questioned the defendant, who said that the night before the incident, he and another man planned to break into the store. 

Court filings say the defendant reported that his two friends went inside the store in question while he stayed outside and monitored the area; and after they broke into the store they divided the merchandise among themselves. 

Police spoke to both suspects, who informed the investigating officers that the defendant stayed outside the store as a 'lookout' man, while they put the stolen merchandise in a bag and divided it among themselves. One of the suspects told police that they were urged by defendant to burglarize the store.