Men plead not guilty to Samalaeulu murder

Four men have pleaded not guilty to charges arising from an incident where a man was stoned to death at Samalaeulu Savai’i in September this year. 

Mamoe Aiesi, Foaga Ipu Piki, Leu Saulo and Paulo Mika have pleaded not guilty to the murder of a father of six from Samalaeulu. 

The accused men have also pleaded not guilty to an alternative charge of manslaughter, throwing stones and being armed with dangerous weapon. 

Aiesi was represented by lawyer, Arthur Lesa, Afamasaga Michael Soonalole is acting for Piki, Saulo’s lawyer is Leiataualesa Komisi Koria while Charlie Vaai is acted for Mika. 

The defendants had asked to be released on bail but prosecution is yet to go through their application. 

The hearing for the men has been set down for 6 July 2020. 

Assistant Attorney General, Magele Leone Su’a, had asked to submit response to bail application by Monday next week. 

Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke adjourned the matter with the defendants being remanded in custody. 

The men, who are also from the village of Samalaeulu, allegedly threw stones at the deceased’s car in Samalaeulu last month. 

It is alleged that the deceased got out of the car to check who threw the stone at his vehicle.

The men are accused of throwing more stones and beating him up until he was unconscious. 

The men were later charged and transferred from Savai’i to Tanumalala Prison to be kept in custody, pending the hearing of their matter in Court. 

It is also alleged that the men were under the influence of alcohol when the incident occurred.