Members of the public were warned on Wednesday not to videotape the trial of two men contesting charges over an incident that led to the death of  Malaki Jeremiah Tauiliili. 

The warning came after the Court received reports that the trial was being broadcast live by someone recording the proceedings from the back of the room. 

The hearing of Herman Westerlund and Suapaina Savai’inaea on charges of reckless intent in committing Malaki’s murder started in the Supreme Court on Monday this week. 

However, on Wednesday morning before the Court resumed after recess, the Deputy Court Registrar, Ve’atauia Faatasi Puleiata, told those inside Court that someone had reportedly been livestreaming the trial. 

He did not identify anyone in particular as recording inside the courtroom. 

But the Deputy Registrar expressed concern and disappointment that the person had been filming inside Court. 

Ve’atauia reminded those present inside Court that the use of electronic devices in courtrooms during proceedings is strictly prohibited. 

He said that in order to achieve justice the Court must perform its job without any external interference. 

Families of the suspects and the deceased and members of the media were present inside the Courtroom on Wednesday. 

After proceedings resumed and Justice Mata Keli Tuatagaloa entered the Courtroom, several Police Officers were standing between chairs.

The law enforcement officers checked the phones of those assembled to make sure they were not furtively recording the trial.

There has been a longstanding prohibition against taking videos or photos or making recordings while a Court is in session.