MAN WHO ATTACKED BROTHER WITH MACHETE OUT ON WORK RELEASE

Associate Justice Lyle L Richmond has granted a request by Viliamu Senio for work release from jail. Senio attacked his brother with a machete and was sentenced to prison for 12 months, as part of his five-year probation. Arrested on New Year’s Eve, he was charged with first degree assault, however in a plea agreement with the government, Senio pled guilty to second degree assault, which carries a lesser penalty.

During sentencing Associate Justice Lyle L RIchmond, who was accompanied on the bench by Associate Judge Mamea Sala Jr, noted that this is a family issue and he believes the brothers have already ironed out their differences, Senio was sentenced to five years in jail, however execution of sentence was suspended and he was placed on five years probation on certain conditions.

Defendant was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, and was eligible for work release, if the company, which Senio was working for when the incident occurred, was willing to rehire him. That did not happen, however during the hearing yesterday morning, Senio told the court that he’s been able to be employed at a mechanic shop in Taputimu and his work hours are from 7:30am to 4:00pm. Richmond ordered the defendant to be released from the Tafuna Correctional Facility from 6:30am till 5:00pm Mondays through Friday.

According to the government’s case, Senio had just returned home from a party when his brother said something that he did not like and that’s when the incident occurred.

GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO FILE ADDITIONAL CHARGES AGAINST INTRUDER

The Attorney General’s office intends to file additional charges against Steven Tupuola, who’s currently facing one count of public peace disturbance. It’s alleged that Tupuola is accused of unlawfully entering a home and attempting to touch two young boys who were sleeping.

According to the government’s case, the incident came to light when the police were contacted for assistance.

During questioning, one of the complaining witness told police he was shocked when he felt someone jumping on the bed, then lay next to him, and began touching him on his thighs. This woke him up and then he tried to wake up the other boy in the room to turn on the lights.

When the light was switched on, the two boys then saw Tupuola, who by then, had jumped out of the window. The boys jumped out the window too and held down the intruder.

Court filings say that when the police arrived and placed the defendant under arrest, they placed him in the police vehicle. it’s alleged that while the police officers were taking photos of the scene, they heard the family members calling out to them that the defendant had taken off on foot. According to the government’s case, police went after Tupuola, and bystanders assisted the police in capturing the defendant next to a pig pen in the area.

It’s alleged that while the defendant was in the police vehicle, he picked a fight with the police officers and threatened to kill the family who had called the police on him, say court filings.

FATU ALAPATI PLACED ON 12 MONTHS PROBATION IN ASSAULT CASE

District Court Judge Elvis Patea placed Fatu Alapati on 12 months probation in connection with a misdemeanor assault over a land dispute. During sentencing, Alapati of Ili’ili  apologized to the court for his actions and asked the court for a second chance. He also apologized to the victim in this matter and explained to the court that everything has been ironed out between them and the neighbors.

Judge Patea asked the defendant if this matter was taken before the Office of Samoan Affairs, and the defendant said “no”. Alapati explained to the court that the incident occurred because of the trash that was stored right at the border of the land.

Patea advised the defendant that if such an event occurs in the future to seek assistance from the High Chief of the family and the police, but do not take the law into their own hands. The defendant was also ordered to pay a fine of $50 as part of his sentence.