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Sentence for young man fashioned to account for his age and victim’s forgiveness

The woman who sustained 26 stitches on her forehead after her face was hit with a drinking glass outside of the Bowling Alley last year December told the court that she has forgiven Henry Satila who was convicted of the incident.

 

Satila was charged with second-degree assault, public peace disturbance and two counts of third degree assault. In a plea agreement with the government, Satila pleaded guilty to three counts of third degree assault — two original counts and one which was amended from the felony assault, while the PPD count was dropped as part of the plea deal offer. During sentencing last week, Satila’s father and sister, pleaded with the court for leniency, noting that Henry has a promising future and has learned his lesson.

 

Sharron Rancourt who represents the defendant pointed out to the court this matter was between female adults yet somehow Satila who’s 20 years old was involved. She further stated it was unclear to her as to how and why Henry — who’s not 21 yet — was allowed inside the Bowling Alley bar, located in the Tafuna area.

 

Rancourt further stated that Satila is remorseful for his actions and asked the court for a probated sentence for the defendant. The defendant in tears apologized to the court and the government for breaking the law. He apologized to the victim for what he did and to his family for denigrating their family’s good name.

 

The victim, who suffered injury to her head, took the stand and told the court she has forgiven Henry, however she wants the defendant to pay for what he did to her. The defendant struck the victim with a glass. It’s alleged the defendant further punched other relatives of the victim in this case.

 

Associate Justice Lyle L Richmond sentenced the defendant to two years probation on the condition that he serve six weekends in jail.

 

Satila was also ordered to undergo and successfully complete anger management counseling, alcohol counseling, and apologize to the three women in the presence of the probation officer. He must also pay a fine of $1,000. The defendant was also ordered to find a job or enroll in the American Samoa Community College within six months.

 

Furthermore Satila was ordered to pay restitution for the victim’s medical bills.

 

Associate Judge Mamea Sala Jr told the defendant that it was not easy for the court to come to this conclusion, given the circumstances of the case, however they had considered his age and that the victim has forgiven him, which is why they fashioned the sentencing the way they did.

 

Mamea told Satila that he must be a law abiding citizen and must comply with all conditions of his probation, and if he fails, he will spend jail time with murderers, drug defendants and sex offenders.

 

According to the government’s case, Satila threw a glass at one of the three females involved in this matter. Court filings say the woman injured had a verbal argument with Satila’s aunt just outside of the Bowling Alley bar, last December. The government’s case claims the victim suffered lacerations and abrasions to the right side of her face and 26 stitches were required for the wound on the woman’s forehead.