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Court Report

BROTHER ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING HIS SISTER LANDS IN JAIL

 

A Taputimu man, age 37, made his initial appearance in the District Court on allegations that he assaulted his younger sister, 32, after she drank his juice. In the interest of protecting the identity of the victim in this case, Samoa News will not name the defendant in this case, who are brother and sister.

 

The Taputimu man is held behind bars on bail of $1,000 while he faces charges of public peace disturbance and third degree assault. The Attorney General’s office is looking into this matter to determine if more charges should be filed.

 

Court fillings say, when police arrived at the scene they spoke to victim who stated that she was assaulted by her brother numerous times. The neighbor, who contacted police for assistance, stated that she heard a woman screaming from the residence across the road. It’s alleged that the victim came to her house for help and the witness saw blood on victim’s face, and that’s why she called the police.

 

Police said when they encountered the victim she was crying hysterically and said that her brother beat her inside their house. She further told police that her brother punched her numerous times on the face and then kicked her in the face and chest area. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was contacted for assistance. Police also spoke to the defendant and the father.

 

The defendant told police that his sister “was acting out of line so he slapped her.” He admitted that when he slapped her, the victim’s nose bled and also stated that he kicked his sister, but did not specify where he kicked her. There was swelling on the right side of the victim’s face. Court documents indicate that defendant was not under the influence of alcohol.

 

MAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGATIONS OF PHYSICAL AND VERBAL ABUSE

 

A man who allegedly assaulted his wife last Friday, spent the weekend in jail on allegations that he slapped his wife and accusing her of having an affair after coming home late from work. The man made his initial appearance in the District Court on Monday. Due to the interest of protecting the identity of the victim, Samoa News is withholding the defendant’s name.

 

According to the government’s case, on Friday around 8p.m. a woman walked into the Leone Substation to file a complaint against her husband for “physically and verbally abusing her at their home in Leone.”

 

The woman was in tears and sobbing when she went to the police station, say court documents. The victim told police that she was scared for her life as she had been threatened by her husband. Court filings say that the victim told the police that the night before, around 11p.m., she arrived home from work late and her husband then started accusing her of having an affair with another man from her workplace. The victim said initially the defendant was swearing at her and then he slapped her in the face.

 

It’s alleged the defendant threatened to kill his wife if she left their bedroom. In the morning, the defendant started arguing with her again and continued to verbally abuse her by swearing and calling her names. She managed to leave the bedroom to use the restroom, and that’s when she left the house and went straight to the police station for help. The defendant refused to make a statement to the police.

 

SENTENCING FOR MATULINO TAUALI’I POSTPONED

 

A man who pleaded guilty to second degree murder had his sentencing postponed until next month at the request of his attorney, Assistant Public Defender Joel Shiver. Matulino Tauali’i, who’s held in custody on bail of $20,000 was implicated in an assault case where he struck another man with a hammer, who later died as a result of the assault.

 

Matulino of Faga’alu was scheduled to be sentenced last Friday, however his attorney requested that it be postponed as they are waiting for a witness who will testify on behalf of Matulino to arrive in the territory. Chief Justice Michael Kruse granted the motion and rescheduled this sentencing for October 3, 2014.

 

According to the government’s case, the defendant allegedly struck the victim on his head with a hammer. The victim fell unconscious and was admitted to LBJ hospital's Intensive Care Unit. Court filings say the victim was in a drinking session in Fagaalu with Matulino when the argument occurred, over a girl. The government further claims the defendant allegedly admitted to police that he struck the victim.