A man who tried to claim he acted in self-defence when striking another three times with a machete, sending him to the hospital with serious wounds, was found guilty of attempted murder this week.

The fight occurred in Nofoalii in January 2020.

Assessors in the trial for Soo Pasila delivered the guilty verdict late Monday afternoon before Supreme Court Justice Fepulea’i Ameperosa Roma.

Pasila was facing three counts: attempted murder, being armed with a dangerous weapon and causing grievous bodily harm.

The incident took place on the evening of Monday, 13 January this year in Nofoalii.

A caution statement from Pasila, recorded by Police the day after the incident, and provided as evidence during trial, said the defendant hit the victim, Faaui Tanielu, three times, severing a chunk of flesh from his right arm and causing lacerations on his upper and lower back in “self-defence”.

The defendant said Tanielu swung his machete at him during a dispute at a Nofoalii plantation three times but he missed.

Pasila retaliated and hit the victim three times. The victim was rushed to Leulumoega Hospital and then to Motootua Hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

Closing submissions were given on Monday afternoon. After deliberating, the assessors returned with a verdict of guilty.

Pasila was represented by defence attorney Unasa Iuni Sapolu.

The prosecutors were Lucymaria Sio Ofoia and Quentin Sauaga.

Justice Fepulea’i has scheduled sentencing for 7 August, 2020.