Husband accused of assaulting wife over alleged affair with their son

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On November 21, 2023, a woman contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) claiming that her husband had assaulted her over an alleged affair with their son.

The husband was arrested and charged with the following:

Count 1: Assault in Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for up to one (1) year, a fine of $1,000, or both; and,

Count 2: Private Peace Disturbance, punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen (15) days, a fine of $300, or both.

Defendant’s bail was set at $1,000.

(SN has withheld the name of victim and defendant to protect the identity of minor involved in this case.)

According to the affidavit, on November 21, 2023, a woman from Fagaima contacted the TPS and requested assistance concerning her husband who allegedly threatened her saying “on this day something is going to happen” and that’s when she fled to the neighbor’s house seeking help.

Police responded, going to Fagaima, and upon arrival, they met with the woman, who reported the matter, in front of her neighbor's house. She briefed the officers regarding the matter and stated that her husband had left with his brother in the car and she was not sure where they were headed.

The affidavit stated that the victim said that this was not the first time her husband had assaulted her. The victim claimed that on Sunday, November 19, 2023, she was assaulted by her husband with a customized sling-shot. She said she was hit 4 times on her left hand, which caused it to bruise. According to the victim, she contacted TPS and briefed the officers over the phone regarding the alleged assault; however, she contacted the TPS later to ‘cancel’ the call and informed officers that the situation has been settled between them.

The victim also explained that on November 20, 2023, her husband came to her after work and asked her about her affair with their son. She told her husband that there is nothing going on between her and her son.

The next day, November 21, 2023, on her way home she was confronted again by her husband asking, “how long is her relationship with her son?” That is when he made his way towards her and allegedly attempted to hit her. She also stated that is when he threatened her while her daughter was by her side and told her “on this day something is going to happen”. That is when she fled and ran to the neighbor’s house seeking help.

On November 21, 2023, the victim and 3 of her children were transported to the TPS for further investigation and to render aid to the victim. On their way to the TPS, the victim pointed out the vehicle belonging to her brother-in-law in front of a store. The defendant was apprehended and taken to the TPS.

Police also contacted Social Services regarding the domestic case and they completed their assessment and informed the police that the victim and her children would not be placed in the shelter since the victim insisted on going home.

The defendant (husband) was booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility awaiting the next sitting of the court.

Samoa News notes that the affidavit does not state that the defendant was Mirandized or that he would or would not make a statement as to the matter alleged to have occurred.

The defendant is unemployed and a U.S National, whereas the victim is a citizen of Samoa.