Attorney General’s Office yet to finalise charges

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 18 December 2018, 12:00AM

The Attorney General’s Office is yet to finalise the charges against Robert Ash, in relation to a separate incident involving Malaki Tauili’ili, prior to the one that led to his death.

Ash appeared in the District Court yesterday for mention with his lawyer Tuatagaloa Aumua Ming Leung Wai, before Judge Fepulea’i Ameperosa Roma.

Prosecution lawyer, Lupematasila Iliganoa Atoa, sought an adjournment from the Court to enable them to finalise the charges, while noting that Ash is also part of a “murder trial” currently before the Supreme Court.

But Aumua — in response to the prosecution’s application — submitted that his client’s case is separate from the murder trial. 

“Court for the record that my client is not involved in the murder trial in the Supreme Court,” he said.

Aumua further submitted that there are two charges of the same offence (of common assault) which he hopes the prosecution will clarify when the matter is re-mentioned.

The Judge then informed Ash that he is remanded on bail with conditions until January 29, 2019 for the prosecution to finalise the charges. 

Defendants Suapaina Savai’inaea and Herman Westerlund are jointly facing a manslaughter charge in connection with the death of Tauili’ili. 

They will appear for mention in the Supreme Court next Monday. Savai’inaea is currently in Police custody while Westerlund has been released on bail. 

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 18 December 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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