MAN CHARGED IN MACHETE CASE

The Attorney General’s office has charged Aunei Muamua with first and third degree assault in connection with a case involving a machete. The defendant was arrested and charged last week following an incident that occurred in Pago Pago.

District Court Judge Elvis Pila Patea, who is also Acting Associate Justice, has denied bail for the defendant in this case.

Court filings say the police responded to a disturbance call, and when they arrived at the scene, a man had a machete with him and informed the officers that it was the machete that Muamua had used in the incident. Police observed the defendant had injuries to his face and Emergency Medical Services was contacted for assistance.

According to the government’s case, police were further informed that there were two victims in this case. When the victims arrived at the hospital they were examined and one of the victims had sustained a 9cm length and 3cm in depth avulsion, which took many stitches internally to close the wounds.

The first victim also sustained a left ear full thickness dissection. The second victim sustained 3cm laceratio between thumb and index finger. They were both treated and released.

Court filings say that the first victim was sleeping when he heard a vehicle engine revving in front of his house, around 4a.m. The first victim then approached Muamua as to why his car was revving, but the defendant did not reply.

It's alleged the first victim went back inside his house and upon returning, defendant swung a machete at him which landed on his face. He also allegedly struck a second victim, with the machete on his right hand.

It's alleged that defendant then fled the scene. Police were seized the machete, as it was given to the police by the victims in this case. Defendant was taken to the hospital as police observed a minor abrasion on his back and a lump on his forehead, and claimed that he sustained those injuries when he was running away.

MULU MALUIA JR ARRAIGNED IN HIGH COURT FOR BURGLARY CASE

Mulu Maluia Jr, who’s charged with first degree burglary and stealing, was arraigned in High Court, where he denied the criminal charges against him. He is accused of breaking into a Nu’uuli home, and is being held on bail of $15,000.

According to the government’s case, on December 20, 2014 a man reported to the police that the defendant had broken into his residence in Nu’uuli. It's alleged that a cell phone and an iPad were stolen from the house.

Court filings say the incident happened on December 19, 2014, and the homeowner knew the defendant from prior interactions relating to volleyball.

MAN WHO ASSAULTED HIS WIFE TO ENTER GUILTY PLEA TODAY

A man charged with six criminal counts in connection with a domestic violence case on allegations he assaulted his wife will appear in the High Court today for his change of plea hearing. The defendant, who’s a Senior Immigration officer is facing a felony charge of second degree assault and three counts of third degree assault, public peace disturbance and private peace disturbance, all misdemeanors.

According to the government’s case, the woman last week informed the police that on Jan. 2, 2015 she asked her husband for food, and the defendant yelled at her and then threatened to kill her if she said anything.

Court filings say that defendant left the bedroom during the argument and returned with a butcher knife approximately six to eight inches long. It’s alleged the defendant swung the knife at his wife and the couple’s 19-year-old son, who pushed his father away from his mother.

However she suffered minor cuts on her hand and neck, according to court documents. It’s alleged the victim remained at her house that weekend until the second assault — which allegedly occurred on Jan. 4, 2015.

The government’s case claims the second assault occurred when the defendant became angry when his wife asked him for a ride to her uncle’s house. The defendant walked outside, picked up a butter knife and then ran after her.

The woman called out for help and two of their teenage sons wrestled the knife from the defendant’s hand. It’s alleged the defendant grabbed the victim (the wife) by the neck and released her only when their sons pulled him off.