A 22-year-old schizophrenic from Faleatiu will spend the next nine years of his life in prison after admitting to shooting and killing a man after an argument over a horse.

Masiauro Ovaleni Tatupu was charged with a count of manslaughter, one of presenting a firearm, one of possession of an unlawful firearm, one of procuring a firearm, being armed with a dangerous weapon and discharging a firearm.

"Your schizophrenia at such a young age should be a warning to so many others foolish enough in our community to use ice and marijuana of the severe mental health consequences that these drugs can have," Judge Justice Leiataualesa Darryl Clarke told Tatupu.

Justice Clarke said the defendant's mental health presents a risk to the public of violent re-offending.

Tatupu had explained to the Probation Service that when he committed the offence, he had been smoking marijuana.

He also disclosed to the doctor who examined him that he had a history of marijuana and methamphetamine. The court was informed that because of this the doctor diagnosed him with schizophrenia with prominent passivity phenomena.

In delivering his sentence, Judge Clarke stated that the aggravating factors of this matter were the use of a firearm, premeditation, intent to cause harm, the loss of life, safety risk to households and that the incident occurred at the deceased's residence. 

Justice Clarke said the number of shots fired by the defendant, the locations of bullet entry and also the vulnerability of the victim were serious aggravating factors.

According to the summary of facts, the incident occurred at Faleatiu on 21 March 2024 where the defendant shot the victim with an illegal firearm because they argued about a horse.

Justice Clarke highlighted said the defendant approached the victim with the gun and shot him twice before shooting him in the back. 

"Suitupe was particularly vulnerable. You went in a group, Suitupe was unarmed and after your uncle tried to assault Suitupe, you shot at him three times including in the back as he fled from you and your group," Justice Clarke said in his sentence.

"You unlawfully entered into Suitupe's home in search of him while a woman and her young child were present. This was a gross invasion of their home where they are entitled to feel safe."

The defendant has previous convictions for similar offences. Justice Clarke added 18 months to the starting point of 13 and a half years which adds up to 15 years.

Justice Leiataualesa deducted nine months for the payment of village penalty and assistance to funeral expenses, three months for the assistance rendered to the deceased after he was shot; 12 months for the reconciliation that had taken place and three months for the defendants remorse and another 30 months for Mr Tatupu's guilty plea.