A specialist doctor who examined Frysna Rimoni at the Moto’otua Hospital earlier this year gave evidence on the facial injuries sustained by the woman. 

Senior Surgeon of the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital, Dr. Petueli Emose, said when Ms. Rimoni was taken into to the hospital she was conscious but unable to speak due to her facial injuries. 

“She had blood pouring out of her face,” said Dr. Emose. 

“We had to clear her airways. The treatment was to prevent any further bleeding. She had a lot of facial injuries and this (resuscitation) was needed to be done.” 

The Surgeon explained that failure to clear the airway would lead to cardiac arrest causing the patient to collapse and die. 

He described the amount of blood lost by Ms. Rimoni as "significant."

She was later taken to the surgical theatre where a tube was inserted down her windpipe. 

The Court also heard that Dr. Emose had proceeded to examine the damage and control the bleeding on Ms. Rimoni’s face. 

“From the assessment we found there were multiple opened shattered facial fracture and also missing teeth,” said Dr. Emose. 

“There was loss of facial tissue and outside of her face. Her left eye was fractured and the right eye was questionable. 

“She also suffered laceration to her lower lip, however the lower jaw, tongue and airway was intact.”

Dr. Emose said there was also laceration to Ms. Rimoni’s right wrist, which was approximately four centimeters in length.  

He then proceeded to wash the wounds and controlled the bleeding by packing (the wounds). 

“Once this was done she was stable was referred to the I.C.U. (Intensive Care Unit).” 

Lead prosecutor, Magele Leone Sua asked Dr. Emose about a part of his medical report that made reference to a C.T. scan. 

In response, the surgeon said the C.T. scan is to better identify anatomy and look into injuries in the brain. 

“Which was suggestive of some injuries but nothing surgically practical,” he said. 

The laceration over Ms. Rimoni’s wrist suggested that it was sustained from a gunshot, he added. 

Furthermore Dr. Emose said another laceration on the right wrist could suggest it was caused by a sharp object. 

When a photo of Ms. Rimoni was given to the witness — to see if it was consistent with his report — he replied, yes. 

“It is consistent but the photo shows her face is stitched (up) as opposed to when examined her it was all laceration,” he said.  

The surgeon was also asked for his medical opinion on the cause of the injury that ran across Ms. Rimoni’s eyebrow to the other side. 

“The straight laceration in my opinion is caused by a sharp object,” he said. 

After Dr. Emose gave evidence, Justice Tafaoimalo ordered that the cross examination into his evidence be done after Ms. Rimoni’s evidence on video link. 

Ms. Rimoni was scheduled to give evidence at 11 a.m. yesterday. 

Members of her family who sat in her evidence came outside wiping their faces. 

Members of the media and the public were asked to leave the Courtroom before Ms. Rimoni gave evidence. Except for her relatives and prosecution, who were allowed to hear her evidence via video link. 

Ms. Rimoni's evidence lasted for five hours, starting at 1.00 p.m. and finishing after 5.00 p.m. 

The assessor trial scheduled for four days continues today.