FIRST HEARING IN ELECTION PETITION SET FOR OCTOBER

The High Court Appellate Division has scheduled a review hearing in an election appeal filed by Lucia Bartley challenging the authenticity of “Vui Florence Tuaumu Saulo’s birth certificate.” Last week, Chief Election Officer Tuaolo Manaia Fruean denied a challenge lodged by Bartley, noting that Vui satisfies the U.S. national requirement, in accordance with Article II Section 3.

Bartley filed this new petition through her attorney Richard DeSaulles last week, where she claims that the Ruling on Challenge to Vui’s candidacy eligibility is insufficient, not in accordance with the law and should be set aside.

Counsel for Vui, Marcellus Talaimalo Uiagalelei said this is nothing more than harassment and it's unfortunate that the good people of Tualauta county will be made to suffer through it again.

As of yesterday afternoon the Election office had yet to file a response against the petition. The hearing is now scheduled for October 2, 2014 in the afternoon.

AG MOVES TO DISMISS CASE AGAINST LEO PETELO

Associate Justice Lyle L Richmond has granted the government’s motion to dismiss the criminal counts of sexual abuse first degree, sodomy, deviate sexual assault, third degree assault, endangering the welfare of a child and public peace disturbance against Leo Petelo, who was released last week from police custody after being held on bail of $20,000.

The 36-year-old man was accused of offering $50 cash to a 13-year-old girl for a kiss. According to the government’s case, on June 21, 2014 police received a call from the victim’s uncle, informing the police that the defendant, who lives in their neighborhood, had forced a kiss on the 13-year-old girl.

Court filings say the defendant was approached by police while he had a beer in his hand.

Police also spoke to the victim at the police station, who stated that she was in her house when the defendant called her downstairs saying that her uncle (who had reported the matter to police) wanted her.

It’s alleged that when the victim went downstairs the defendant grabbed her, pulling her towards him, held her hand and kissed her.

Last week, Assistant Attorney General Tiffany Oldfield told the court that due to inconsistencies of statements made in this matter, the government is moving to dismiss. The Associate Justice granted the motion by the government.

SALANOA’S CASE LANDS IN FAMILY, DRUG & ALCOHOL COURT

Chief Justice Michael Kruse has referred a case between the Attorney General’s office and Palemia Salanoa to the Family, Drug and Alcohol Court.  At the time of the referral, Salanoa was before the court for sentencing involving a traffic offense which endangered the welfare of a child.

The defendant apologized to the court for his actions and pleaded for the court to allow him a second chance to return home and care for his wife and four children. The defendant’s mother also took the stand, pointing out her son has a condition that needs to be taken care of. His wife also pleaded before the court that she needs her husband at home as he is the sole breadwinner of their family.

Assistant Public Defender Joel Shiver asked the court to place the defendant on probation. However Assistant Attorney General Jessica Bargman told the court that Salanoa has two prior convictions which are both misdemeanors in the District Court. She also reported that Salanoa has outstanding traffic citation fines that remain unpaid.

Kruse called a recess and when he returned to the bench, he ruled that this matter will now go to the Family, Drug and Alcohol court to be heard.

According to the government’s case, police had attempted to pull defendant over in July, 2014 — however instead of pulling over, the defendant fled. The police went after him, however the pursuit was called off when the police saw there was a child in the vehicle with the defendant. Later that same day, police apprehended Salanoa.