Political assassin Vitale back in Court, asks for bail

By Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong 24 May 2019, 6:00PM

The man who shot former Cabinet Minister, the late Luagalau Levaula Kamu, is back in Court, this time asking for bail. 

After he was released on parole having served time for shooting Luagalau, Alatise Leafa Vitale was arrested earlier this month for breaching his parole condition. 

In Court on Friday, his lawyer Unasa Iuni Sapolu filed a bail application.

Unasa said she has also filed a supplementary affidavit for the defendant.  

The matter was called before Judge Leota Raymond Schuster. 

A Probation Officer told the Court that another colleague responsible for the matter has left the Courtroom. 

She added she will advise the responsible Probation Officer accordingly on the adjournment date. 

Judge Leota then adjourned the matter for 29 May 2019 for the bail application hearing. 

Earlier on, Vitale's case was called in the morning where the responsibleProbation Officer appeared.

But Vitale asked if the matter could be adjourned for his lawyer to appear on his behalf. 

When the matter resumed in the afternoon, Unasa apologised to the Court. She said she thought the matter was at 2pm.

Vitale was arrested in Savai’i two weeks ago for breaching a parole condition.

The convicted murderer has been an active supporter for two overseas based Samoans charged in relation to matters connected to Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi.

One of them is Talalelei Pauga, who threw a pig's head at Prime Minister Tuilaepa in Australia.

The other is Malele Paulo, better known as King Faipopo, who currently faces 13 charges of making defamatory statements against Tuilaepa. 

Both Paulo and Pauga have recently posted photos and videos on social media together with Vitale.

Vitale was sentenced to death in August 1999 by Justice Andrew Wilson. 

He admitted killing Luagalau upon orders from his father and former Cabinet Minister, the late Leafa Vitale and another former Cabinet Minister, the late Toi Aukuso. 

That death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by the Head of State. 

Vitale was then granted parole in October 2010 after serving 11 years in jail. 

By Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong 24 May 2019, 6:00PM
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