Court to decide whether to accept affidavit from deceased girl

By Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong 06 May 2019, 12:00AM

A Supreme Court hearing, to determine whether to accept or reject the use of an affidavit belonging to a deceased girl, will be heard on Wednesday this week.

Naumati Manuele Brown, the biological father of the deceased teenager, faces four counts of sexual violation charges.

Acting Chief Justice, Vui Clarence Nelson presided. Lucy Sio Ofoia and Veiuto Fa’asii of the Attorney General’s Office are the prosecutors.

Lawyer Maureen Tuimaleali’ifano appeared on instructions for Savalenoa Mareva Betham-Annandale.

Mrs. Ofoia told the Court she filed an application for the Court to hear hearsay evidence.

Justice Vui asked Ms. Tuimaleali’ifano if she opposes the application in which she sought to seek instruction on the motion.

The Acting Chief Justice also questioned if there was no other lawyer from the law firm, who can deal with the case that was set down for hearing yesterday.

Ms. Tuimaleali’ifano told the Court the leading counsel for the hearing left the jurisdiction due to a family emergency.

She added other lawyers from the law firm are engaged in other matters this week.

But Acting Chief Justice Vui reminded the lawyer that if it’s a District Court matter or Tribunal, those matters do not take priority over a Supreme Court trial.

He then granted adjournment until Wednesday this week to hear the application on hearsay evidence.



By Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong 06 May 2019, 12:00AM

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