Man charged with assault after allegedly shoving his brother's wife

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man accused of attempting to assault his brother’s wife while she was holding her two-year-old daughter was arrested in June.

Faasega Saili made his initial appearance in court where the court granted a motion from the defense attorney to release Saili on his own recognizance to await his next court appearance. Saili is not to make any direct or indirect contact with the victim and her family.

He is charged with third-degree assault, public peace disturbance (PPD), and endangering the welfare of a child, all class A misdemeanors, punishable by imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to $1,000 or both.

According to the government’s case, on June 9, police received a call regarding a PPD incident in Taputimu.

Upon arrival at the scene, according to the reporter, the wife of Saili’s brother, the confrontation started when she approached Saili about breaking inside their room and stealing items from it, including money, shoes and clothes.

Saili responded by allegedly yelling profanities at her before he pushed her against the house wall causing the victim to hit the back of her head on the side of the wall while she was holding her two-year-old daughter.

According to the victim, Saili was heavily intoxicated and was cussing at her. She claims that Saili walked over and tried to punch her, but she ran into her house and locked the door.

The victim’s husband was at work when the alleged incident took place.

According to the government, Saili was intoxicated when police approached him; and for the safety of the woman and the baby, he was arrested and detained to await his appearance in District Court.

When interviewed by police, Saili explained that he assaulted his brother’s wife because she was spreading lies in the village and church that he was selling drugs in the village.

Saili admitted that he assaulted his brother’s wife by pushing her towards the wall while she was holding her daughter, and cussing at her, out of anger.