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Young son in tears testifying in Samoa court about father’s shooting

Father and son sitting in the courtroom
Source: Newsline Samoa

Apia, SAMOA — A nine-year-old boy was in tears when he testified in court to seeing his uncle shoot his dad on Father’s Day Sunday, 2018 at Lepea.

The boy’s father is the victim in the case against Aukuso Sale, who police say, shot his relative L. Gabriel on Father’s Day last year after the victim and his son took him Sunday to’onai.

The father and son appeared as witnesses Friday last week in the matter that is currently before Supreme Court Justice Leaiataualesa Daryl M. Clarke.

The hearing was held because defense is disputing the summary of facts.

The 50-year-old victim told the court it was Father’s Day Sunday and when it was time for him and his family to eat, he noticed that someone in the family was missing, the defendant, Sale.

He prepared some food for Sale – barbecue chicken and umu-baked taro then went with his son to take the food to Sale at his house up the road.

Gabriel said he wished Sale a happy Father’s Day and they were enjoying drinks together when the defendant told him that bringing him food is something he should do. The victim got angry and told his relative that he has no business leaving Samoa then returning to Samoa wanting to be the boss of the place where he lives.

Sale threw a rock at the victim but Gabriel said he ducked and his relative attacked him and they fought. Sale swore at the victim, called him cheeky and Gabriel decided to leave the house with his son.

About 20 metres away from Sale’s house, the victim heard a gunshot, followed by a second gunshot. Gabriel testified that he told Sale to put his gun away and fight him but Sale responded by saying: “I will come to your house and shoot you and then sleep with your wife.” A third gunshot followed the threat.

The victim said he got very angry and then gathered up rocks to throw at Sale but Sale responded by saying put your rocks down and let’s fight. Gabriel put the rocks down but then Sale picked up the gun again and said, “Very soon, I will shoot your mouth.”

The victim’s son pleaded with him, saying “Uncle, please don’t shoot my dad.” After a fourth gunshot, then a fifth, Gabriel said he felt a pain in his left arm and left side of his body. He called out: “Fiaola!” (“ I want to live”)

During cross-examination, the victim said he’d been drinking Boom Vodka and cooking his barbecue before he visited Sale.

Sale was drinking Jim Beam before the victim arrived and defense asked Gabriel if the defendant asked him to get out of the house but the victim said that did not happen.

Read more at Newsline Samoa