The Supreme Court ordered a closed door hearing into an application to have the two men accused of the death of Jeremiah Malaki Tauiliili to be trialled separately.

The order was given by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Mata Keli Tuatagaloa, on Thursday when Herman Paul Westerlund and Suapaina Savai’ianaea appeared in Court

The order meant the media was prohibited from sitting in and reporting on the details.

Westerlund and Savai’inaea have pleaded not guilty to a charge of manslaughter in relation to the death of Mr. Tauiliili in December 2018.  “The issues that are going to be discussed will also be brought up in the substantive hearing later on,” said Justice Tuatagaloa.

“It will have a huge impact on that substantive hearing.

“The media is asked to leave the Court and the only people allowed are relatives of the two defendants and any of the deceased family.” 

Westerlund is represented by lawyer, Fepulea’i Patrick Fepulea’i, while Savai’inaea is represented by lawyer, Lei’ataualesa Jerry Brunt.

The Prosecutor is Silupevaelei Rexona Titi, of the Attorney General’s Office.

Prior to the order from Justice Tuatagaloa, the counsels were called in chamber.

Last month an application was filed by Westerlund’s lawyer, Fepulea'i to have his client trialled in a separate hearing from Savai’inaea.

The trial is scheduled for Wednesday, 12 June 2019.