Samuelu Sua and his wife Sivai Kepi walked out of the District Court even after being given jail terms, as the time they had already served in remand custody fulfilled their sentence.

Meanwhile, Lise-Marie Schmidt was discharged without a conviction.

Judge Talasa Atoa-Saaga gave her decision on the high-profile conspiracy case on Tuesday.

Prime Minister La'aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, Li'o Fa'ataumalama Auava and Fepuleai Faimata Su'a were cleared of all charges against them. They were charged along with Sua, Kepi and Schmidt.

The charges stem from Sua claiming to be the eyewitness to the hit-and-run in 2021, which claimed the life of a university student in Vaitele. He claimed that he had seen a politician drive the vehicle that hit the young man.

Sua was found guilty of 16 counts of harassment by electronic means and was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment.

For perverting the course of justice, he was sentenced to another 12 months' imprisonment.

For the charge of defamation, he was sentenced to two months' imprisonment to be served concurrently.

Judge Atoa-Saaga said the court took into consideration the time Sua was remanded in custody, which is a total of 28 months from January 2024 to May 2026.

For Sivai Kepi, she was convicted of perverting the course of justice and was sentenced to four months' imprisonment.

The court also considered the time Kepi spent in custody, which is four months, and that completes her sentence.

Lise-Marie Schmidt was discharged without conviction for the charge of harbouring Marie Tusi and was also cleared for non-appearance. She was also fined $300.

Just Atoa-Saaga said the court took into consideration the medical certificate that she provided, confirming that she was unwell that day.