Two men both charged with second-degree assault appear in court

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man charged with a single count of second-degree assault — a felony — waived his right to a preliminary examination this past Wednesday in District Court.

(To protect the identity of the victim, who is the defendant's wife, Samoa News is withholding the names of all parties involved.)

The court has bound the case over to High Court, where the man is expected to enter a 'not guilty' plea during arraignment.

Bail is set at $5,000

If bail is posted, conditions of release are standard, the court said, and include no contact with the victim and witnesses in this case.

However, the prosecutor informed the court that she spoke to the victim (the defendant's wife who was in the courtroom) and the woman had requested that contact with her husband be maintained.

The court granted the request but reminded the defendant that he is to maintain the peace at home.

Samoa News understands that the couple has two children, ages 4 and 9.

FA’AVELA TAGA

A 40-year-old man accused of using a sharp weapon to cause head injuries to his neighbor, under a plea agreement, has plead guilty to second degree assault — a felony — but punishable by no more than 5 years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $5,000 or both.

Fa’avel Taga was initially charged with felony first degree assault, punishable by life in prison or at least 30 years in jail.

With his guilty plea, Taga admits that sometime on Aug. 02, 2020 he caused serious injuries to another man by using a sharp metal piece to hit him on the head several times. Taga remains in custody in jail.

According to terms of the plea agreement, Taga had just arrived home from work when he was approached by a family member who informed him that his nephew was assaulted by their 24-year-old neighbor.

Out of anger, Taga went to his neighbor’s home to locate the man behind the assault. Finding him, Taga punched him in the face before striking his head with a sharp piece of metal several times.

The victim sustained a big cut on his head and was admitted to the LBJ Hospital where he spent 6 days in the Surgical Ward before he was released. According to the hospital report, 12 stitches were needed to close the cut on the victim’s head.

The government is recommending probation and restitution of $856.03 to cover the victim’s medical bills.