Court sentences escaped inmate who says he’s ‘tired of living in jail’

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — An inmate serving a 30-year sentence at the TCF was ordered by the High Court to serve 20 months for escaping from confinement.

David Fo’a appeared before Chief Justice Michael Kruse last week for sentencing.

He was initially charged in two separate cases: one count of escape from confinement in each of the two cases. Under a plea agreement, Fo’a pled guilty to one count of escape from confinement. The other charge was dismissed.

He admits that on Oct. 4, 2019 while serving time at the TCF for a first degree armed robbery conviction, he left the TCF compound and went to a nearby store to buy beer and cigarettes before returning to prison.

When given the chance to speak, Fo’a apologized and asked that his new sentence run concurrent with his current sentence. He said he’s truly remorseful wants to go home to care for his family and do something good for his future. “I’m tired of living in jail. I want to go home. I want to live a free life; please, grant me a second chance,” Fo’a asked the court.

Defense attorney Rob McNeill asked for probation, to run concurrent with the time Fo’a is currently serving at the TCF. The prosecutor echoed McNeill’s submission. Kruse asked both parties of the high wall at the TCF can cure the problem of inmates escaping from confinement.

Lowe said the DPS Commissioner and the Warden are working hard to ensure that the high wall will prevent inmates from escaping. Kruse smiled and said, “The court hopes the wall will cure this serious problem.” He added that many who are serving time re-offend while in custody and then come to court and say they’re sorry. He said ‘sorry’ does not cure it, and something needs to be done to prevent this ongoing problem at the TCF.

Fo’a was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment, to run consecutive to the current sentence he’s serving. Execution of sentence is suspended and he is placed on probation for 5 years subject to several conditions. He shall serve 20 months detention, to run concurrent with his current sentence.

Kruse said the court has taken into account the fact that this is Fo’a’s first escape from confinement.