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Court Report

BAIL FOR SO’OSEMEA TINAE REDUCED FROM $50K TO $30K

 

Associate Justice Lyle L Richmond has granted the motion by defense counsel to reduce bail for So’osemea Tinae, who’s charged in connection with raping a 15-year-old girl. Tinae, who’s been held behind bars on bail of $50,000 has been charged with rape and sexual assault. During the defendant’s pre-trial conference yesterday, Matailupe Leupolu asked the court for reduction of bail from $50K to $30K.

 

Leupolu pointed out that defendant has had a hard time trying to make bail and given that it’s close to the holidays, defendant is requesting reduction of bail. The request was not taken lightly by the prosecutor Assistant Attorney General Jessica Bargmann who noted that defendant is charged with several felony counts which include rape. She stated that in the police report, there is information that the incident for which he was arrested, was not the first time he’s been involved in sexual contact with a minor.

 

Bargmann said the person who called the police about the incident that led to defendant’s arrest, informed police that Tinae was seen in the same spot previously, doing the same thing with other minors. The prosecutor pointed out that the community will not be safe once the defendant is out, let alone the victim in this matter.

 

However, Richmond granted the motion and reduced bail for defendant from $50K to $30K. The prosecutor also informed the court that the government has already handed over discovery in this matter, along with a plea deal offer to the defense.

 

Leupolu asked the court for a brief continuance to allow the defendant time to go over the discovery and the offer from the government.

 

According to the government’s case, the defendant is accused of raping a 15-year-old girl near the Juvenile Detention Center. He allegedly told the girl that he was doing this because her family owes him a lot of money.

 

This matter has been scheduled for January 8, 2014.

 

(Samoa News first reported this incident on Oct. 28, 2014.)

 

MAN IN FIREARM CASE FINED $1,000, GIVEN TWO YEARS PROBATION

 

Jim Mapu has been sentenced to two years probation, with conditions, in connection with a firearm case. Mapu was initially charged with unlawful use of a weapon, a class D felony; possession of an unlicensed firearm, a class A misdemeanor and public peace disturbance. However the defendant entered a guilty plea to the possession of an unlicensed firearm and the government moved for the court to dismiss the more serious charge of unlawful use of a weapon, along with the PPD charge.

 

During sentencing the defendant apologized for what happened and asked the court’s leniency in his matter.

 

Chief Justice Michael Kruse sentenced Mapu to one year in jail, however execution of sentence was suspended and he’s placed on probation for two years under certain conditions. Defendant was also sentenced to time served of 16 days and he was released from police custody yesterday.

 

He was also ordered to undergo anger management courses, pay $1,000 fine  and must not posses any firearms while on probation.

 

By defendant’s plea of guilt he admits that on June 27, 2013 in Nu’uuli the defendant had in his possession a .38 special handgun which he retrieved from a room in his home without having first obtained a license from the Commissioner of Public Safety. Defendant also admits that on the same date and time the defendant discharged the handgun. Mapu admits that his conduct on the day in question was without legal justification or excuse.

 

Mapu is represented by Assistant Public Defender Mike White while prosecuting is Assistant Attorney General Tiffany Oldfield.

 

(Samoa News first reported this incident on Dec. 05, 2014.)

 

AG REFILES CASE AGAINST JERMAIN MAYBIR

 

The Attorney General’s office has refiled its case against Jermain Maybir in connection with a sex case involving a 13-year-old girl. Last week the defendant was in High Court facing  statutory rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse, first degree.

 

However the government’s newly refiled case charges him only with endangering the welfare of a child — a misdemeanor. The defendant made his initial appearance in the District Court yesterday morning. According to the government’s case, on April 21, 2014 the police received a report that a 13-year-old girl refused to come home to her family.

 

It’s alleged that the police made contact with the victim’s mother and then police spoke to the victim who stated that she was having a relationship with the defendant. She allegedly told the police that after she had sex, the defendant would leave love bites on her neck.

 

(Samoa News first reported the incident on Aug. 23, 2014)