MAN CHARGED FOR ASSAULT AFTER TOLD NOT TO SMOKE IN BAR

Sun Jun Park made his initial appearance in the District Court yesterday, on charges of second degree assault and public peace disturbance. Park is represented by Marcellus Talaimalo Uiagalelei while prosecuting this matter is Lornalei Meredith Fanene.

The man posted bail of $5,000 and he’s released on conditions that he remain a law biding citizen, must appear at all court hearings and cannot contact the victim directly or indirectly.

According to the government’s case, on Feb. 12, 2014 the defendant visited the karaoke bar in Satala with a group of men and when the victim told him about not smoking inside the rooms, the defendant allegedly threw a glass at the victim, and then got up and allegedly punched the victim in the face. It’s alleged the defendant then grabbed an ice box (or ice bucket) and struck the victim with it.

After the victim fell to the ground, the defendant allegedly grabbed a bottle of whiskey and swung it toward the defendant’s head, but the victim covered his head and the bottle landed on his right hand. Court filings say that the next day the victim was seen at the Emergency Room, with minor cuts on his lower lip, thumb and left knee.

He also suffered a swollen finger, according to the X-rays.

According to the government’s case, on Apr. 16, 2014 the victim’s orthopedic surgeon diagnosed the victim with a closed rupture of his finger and surgery is recommended.

According to the doctor’s report, if it’s not treated the deformity is likely to be permanent, which is likely to affect the victim’s grip and cause chronic pain.

Police spoke to two witnesses whose statements corroborated the statement given by the victim.

The defendant will be in court this Friday for his preliminary examination hearing, where District Court Judge John Ward will determine whether the government has sufficient evidence to have this matter proceed to High Court.

MALAKI SAO CHARGED, ACCUSED OF STEALING $700

The Attorney General’s office has charged Malaki Sao of Fagatogo with misdemeanor stealing on allegations that he removed $700 from a woman’s purse at Sadie Thompson’s Inn in Fagatogo. However, after further investigation into this case, Samoa News understands the government may file an additional charge of felony stealing, this coming Thursday.

Sao, a repeat offender is held behind bars on bail of $2,000. District Court Judge John Ward told the defendant that if he’s able to post bail, there are conditions to his release. Sao was told that he must remain a law biding citizen, must appear at all court hearings and cannot contact the victim directly or indirectly.

According to the government’s case, last week in the early hours of Wednesday morning, the police were contacted by an employee of Sadie Thompson’s Inn that someone had stolen money from her purse. She further told police that it was Sao that she saw near the area prior to her money being stolen.

According to court filings the amount stolen was $700, which the woman said belongs to her church. It’s alleged that when the woman went to do the laundry she came back to the main office to find that belongings that had been in her purse were scattered all over the floor and the money was missing.

It’s alleged the police then searched for Sao, who was found shopping with his parents in Fagatogo. The mother told police that they have the wrong person as her son did not go anywhere on the night in question, and that he was sleeping. Police arrested the defendant and when he was searched they found $189 in his possession.

PLEA HEARING FOR BROTHERS CHARGED IN SEX CASE, CONTINUED

Associate Justice Lyle L Richmond did not proceed in the government’s case with the two brothers from Leone who are each charged with child molesting, deviate sexual assault, sexual abuse first degree, endangering the welfare of a child and furnishing pornographic materials to a minor. Samoa News is withholding the names of the defendants to protect the identity of the young victim in this case.

The pair was scheduled to enter guilty pleas as part of their plea deal offered by the Attorney General’s office, however Richmond pointed out that there is a part in the plea agreement that needs clarification from the parties before this matter can proceed.

The case has been continued on several occasions as attorneys informed the court they were close to a resolution in this case.

According to the government’s case, on Dec. 29, 2012 it was reported to the Leone Substation that a six-year-old boy had allegedly been drugged and sexually abused by two brothers. According to the government’s case, the mother said her son has some developmental disabilities.