Trial for death of 14 year old, still to be set

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 02 May 2017, 12:00AM

The trial for the man charged in the case of the death of his 14-year-old son, is still to be set. 

The defendant, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, was in court for a bail application yesterday. 

However his attorney, Unasa Iuni Sapolu moved to withdraw the bail motion, which was granted by Chief Justice Patu Tiavaasue Falefatu Sapolu. 

Unasa then moved to set the matter for trial and the Chief Justice scheduled it on 25 September. 

Unasa then asked that the trial be moved up to an earlier date citing her unavailability on the 25th. 

Patu then ordered from the bench that the date be finalized between the two attorneys and for them to then inform the court of a mutually suitable date. 

Earlier this month, the first application for bail by former attorney Alalatoa Rosella Viane Papalii, was denied. 

Alalatoa had since left private practice as she’s been sworn in as a new judge for the District Court. 

Unasa took over the case and again applied for bail for the defendant noting that she was not present at the hearing for bail that was done before and wanted to revisit the bail application. 

The Chief Justice at the time made it clear that there was nothing to stop an accused from continuing to apply for bail provided that there was a good reason for a review of the application. 

In the interests of protecting the identity of the deceased in the case, the defendant’s name was suppressed by Supreme Court Justice Leiataualesa Darryl Clarke who presided over the hearing of bail last month. 

According to preliminary reports from the police, the 14 year old boy was struck on the neck with a machete.

He ran to his neighbours house and that’s where he died due to the severity of his injuries.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 02 May 2017, 12:00AM
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