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Pathologist probing cause of death of pastor and female church member

Samoa Supreme Court building
Samoa Court Report

Apia, SAMOA — Police investigation into the deaths of a church minister and a female church member now await the arrival of a pathologist from New Zealand to determine the cause of the death.

Police say their team is continuing to collect information in connection to the deaths.

Speculations on the involvement of a third person have not been confirmed by police.

Last week, the bodies were found inside a grey Nissan Cube car parked opposite the United Nations headquarters at Tuana’imato.The man is a pastor of the Assembly of God Church at Falelauniu and the woman is the church’s treasurer.

[source: Talamua Online]

MURDER CHARGE HIGHLIGHTS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN SAMOA

The police in Samoa have charged a man with murder following the death of his 53-year-old wife.

The woman spent five days in hospital with serious injuries before her death. The suspect is due to appear in court on Monday

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa, has spoken about domestic violence at the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union conference currently underway in Apia. Fiame told the conference, domestic violence is restraining development.

"In the Pacific, I think the impact of domestic violence on the development of a country has serious significance.

"When half of the population is not able to live their lives to their fullest potential I think we are all necessarily being limited," she said.

Domestic violence is a global issue and not just a problem in the Pacific, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa said.

[source: RNZI]

COURT ISSUES ARREST WARRANT FOR PREGNANT MOTHER

The court has issued a warrant of arrest for a 23-year-old mother accused of beating her 1-year-old child to death.

Auto’a Tiatia Maisa of Samalaeulu, Savaii, failed to appear in court when the matter was called this week. Auto’a is facing 4 charges including failing to provide necessities of life, manslaughter, being armed with a dangerous object, and assault.

The incident happened in June this year when she allegedly struck her one-year-old baby girl on the head with a broom handle. The baby died immediately.

Auto’a is unemployed, and stays home looking after her 3 children. The 1-year-old is the youngest child and she is pregnant with her fourth child.

[source: Talamua Online]