Sentencing adjourned for escaped prisoner

By Pai Mulitalo Ale 05 December 2016, 12:00AM

The sentencing of an escaped convict, Daniel Vailopa has now been adjourned to 15 December 2016. 

The adjournment follows an application by the defense counsel Alalatoa Rosella Papali’i who asked the Court for more time to discuss the summary of facts with her client. 

Alalatoa told the Court she requested the prosecution to disclose the summary of facts but unfortunately she had just received it in the morning. 

The matter was brought before Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala Warren and she granted a final adjournment for defense to discuss the summary of facts and for a pre-sentencing report from the Probation Office. 

Appearing on behalf of the National Prosecution Office, Lucy Sio did not object to the adjournment. 

Vailopa’s charges stemmed from an incident in 2015 when he escaped from Tafaigata Prison on 2 August. 

Vailopa made his way to Vailima and attempted to sexually violate a Norwegian woman who was climbing the Mount Vaea trail. 

The victim was working in Samoa during the time of the incident. 

The accused also stole a cell phone valued at A$2,000. 

 

By Pai Mulitalo Ale 05 December 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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