A young man from Faleatiu, accused of killing another man from the same village after a dispute over a horse changed his plea to guilty for a lesser charge of manslaughter.

Misiauro David Vaili, 22, shot a man using an illegal 0.22 Ruger semi-automatic rifle on 21 March this year.

According to the amended charging document, the prosecution now proceeds with six charges including manslaughter and withdrew the murder charge.

The court was told that the two main prosecution witnesses were hesitant to testify. According to police, these witnesses and their two children live on land owned by the accused's extended family in Faleatiu.

Prosecutor Maiavatele Timothy Fesili told the court that despite their change of position on the murder charge, the prosecution intends to proceed with the charge of manslaughter, as well as all the other charges outlined in the charging document presented to the court.

The incident occurred at Faleatiu on 21 March where the defendant shot the victim with an illegal firearm because they argued about a horse.

For the charge of manslaughter, it stated that the defendant by an unlawful act namely assault, caused the death of Filipo Suitupe, a male of Faleatiu and thereby committed the crime of manslaughter.

Other additional charges include being armed with a dangerous weapon, discharging a firearm, procuring a firearm without a permit, presenting a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm.

The defendant is remanded in custody and will reappear in court on 12 November for sentencing before Justice Leiataualesa Darryl Clarke.

Representing the defendant is Luaipou Ann Matalasi.