Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A convicted murderer serving a 30-year sentence for the death of his brother nine years ago was sentenced this week to 5 years for a separate assault conviction.

In delivering his decision, Chief Justice Michael Kruse said that according to the Pre Sentence Report (PSR), Faufano Faauliuli is a violent person. “We need to discourage the crime of violence at the TCF,” Kruse said.

Faauliuli was initially charged with one count of first degree assault, a class A felony. He pled guilty under a plea agreement to the amended charge of second degree assault, a class D felony, punishable by imprisonment of up to 5 years, a fine of up to $5,000 or both.

He admits that on Aug. 13, 2019 while serving time at the TCF, he assaulted another inmate by stabbing him in the back with a kitchen knife.

Defense attorney Rob McNeill asked the court for a light sentence, saying Faauliuli is truly remorseful, he understands the dangers of his actions, and he’s really sorry for what he did to the victim, whom he considered his best friend.

Kruse said the court is puzzled with the defendant’s violence and anger. For his first crime, Faauliuli killed his own brother; and in a separate incident, he displayed the same violent behavior. “He’s a violent person who needs to be stopped,” Kruse said.

Faauliuli was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for the assault case. The sentence will run consecutive to his previous sentence - 30 years - for murder.

(Faauliuli was initially charged with first degree murder but pled guilty to second degree murder for strangling his sick brother who was in bed with an electrical cord. Faauliuli was the caregiver).
 

BACKGROUND

On Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, a verbal argument broke out between Fa’auliuli and another inmate after the victim failed to return things he had borrowed from Faauliuli.

Faauliuli and the victim were good friends. According to the inmates, the two would hang out and do things together during meal time and other times throughout the day. Faauliuli and the victim argued but eventually they shook hands and hugged. The victim subsequently returned Faauliuli’s stuff. On Tuesday morning, Aug. 13th, the victim said Fa’auliuli stabbed him in the back while he was freshening up.

Faauliuli told police he got really angry with the victim on Sunday because he went over to hang out with him and the victim told him not to bother him anymore. Faauliuli said the victim is his only friend inside the prison. He said although they worked things out, he sat and thought about what the victim said to him and it made him mad. He couldn’t sleep.

He said when he saw the victim getting ready for trustee duties, he grabbed the knife, walked over, and stabbed him in his back while he was bent over the sink brushing his teeth. Faauliuli said he couldn’t hold his anger and just wanted to hurt the victim. He told police he’s had the knife — used to stab the victim — in his cell for about 3 years.