Attempted murder trial for alleged machete attack

By Tina Mata'afa-Tufele 16 July 2020, 1:00PM

A man from Nofoali'i is on trial for attempted murder, after he allegedly attacked another man with a machete in January, this year. 

The assessors’ trial for So'o Pasila began on Wednesday morning in the Supreme Court before Justice Fepulea’i Ameperosa Roma. 

Four prosecution witnesses took the stand and five more are scheduled to testify on Thursday.

The defendant, who has denied all the charges, faces three counts of attempted murder, being armed with a dangerous weapon and causing grievous bodily harm.

He is represented by lawyer, Unasa Iuni Sapolu, with the prosecutors being, Lucymaria Sio Ofoia and Quentin Sauaga, of the Attorney General's Office.

One of the prosecution witnesses from Nofoali'i – who drove the victim, Tupa’i Faaui, to the hospital after he suffered serious injuries from the alleged attack – testified on Wednesday.

Mr. Tupa’i walked to the home of the witness in search of assistance after the defendant allegedly attacked him with a machete.

The witness testified that the blood and injuries he saw were like nothing he has ever seen before. 

According to the witness, flesh was sliced off from the victim’s right hand and he had lacerations on the upper right side of his body and his right arm.

Another witness, who is also from Nofoali'i, told the court that the man who drove Tupa’i to the hospital in Leulumoega called him on the phone to tell him that Tupa’i was injured.

The second witness said when he arrived at the scene, he saw the victim lying on the back of a four-wheel drive truck ready to be transported to the hospital.

Tupa’i was unconscious and could not move or speak, the court was told. The attack occurred on January 13 this year.

The trial resumes Thursday morning at 10am before Justice Fepulea’i.

By Tina Mata'afa-Tufele 16 July 2020, 1:00PM
Samoa Observer

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