Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 42-year-old man accused of assaulting a man in Aua by striking the victim’s head with a piece of timber made his initial appearance in Court last month.

Si’u Amosa is charged with one count of unlawful possession of marijuana, an unclassified felony, punishable by imprisonment from 5-10 years, a fine of up to $20,000, or both; one count of second-degree assault, a class D felony, carrying a prison sentence of up to 5 years, a fine of up to $5,000 or both.

Bond is set at $15,000.

The defense attorney asked the court to reduce his client’s bond to $5,000, arguing that Amosa is not a flight risk and has no criminal record.

The government’s attorney opposed the motion, saying Amosa is a citizen of Samoa and although he’s been living here with his family for over 20 years, he is a flight risk who must be kept in prison until his case is resolved. The court agreed and denied the motion.

Amosa waived his right to a PX and his case was bound over to High Court where he entered a not guilty plea to the charges against him last week during his arraignment.

Pretrial conference is scheduled for next month.

THE CASE

On the night of Mar. 10, 2022, a man called the Fagatogo Police Central Station (PCS) to report that they were transporting to the LBJ, a male who was assaulted in Aua. According to the government, the victim was a 41-year-old married man and father of 4 from Pago Pago.

The government claims that the main witness — a male — and several family members were engaged in a drinking session at a home in Aua the day before. Later in the evening, another family member stopped by, together with Amosa.

Everything was okay until a little past midnight, when the homeowner got into a verbal argument with the victim, after the victim allegedly accused the homeowner of hiding beer in his vehicle. The homeowner responded with a joke to the victim that it was Amosa who stole the beer and hid it in the backpack he was carrying that night.

That’s when Amosa allegedly exited the house and then re-entered the home, holding a piece of timber, which he used to strike the victim on the back, before hitting him on the head. The victim was transported to the hospital.

Amosa fled the area before police arrived and he was later apprehended at his uncle’s home in Faga’alu and transported to the CPS for questioning. He was search before being taken in, and a small stamp sized baggie containing a green leafy substance was discover in his right pants pocket.

Amosa confirmed to investigators what the witness said happened, explaining that he felt ashamed when the victim made fun of him, telling everyone he stole the beer and ate all the food at the party.

According to Amosa, after he struck the victim and while he was making his way out of the house, a male relative of the victim punched him in the face.

When questioned about drugs found in his possession, Amosa admitted that the baggie belonged to him. He bought it from a man in Vaitogi for $20, he said.