Attempted murder case dismissed after witnesses failed to appear

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA SAMOA – 05 JULY 2022: The non-appearance of witnesses in an attempted murder trial against former Toa Samoa prop Tagaloa Maugaloto Palu, had resulted in the withdrawal and dismissal of the case.

Prosecutor Fuifui Ioane informed the Court that none of the 10 witnesses for the case appeared for hearing although they have all been briefed and are aware of the date for the hearing.

The charge against the defendant stemmed from an incident at the Fugalei fish market in May 2020 where he attacked two brothers with a machete causing serious injuries to the victims.

The incident was recorded live by a witness and went viral on social media.

The defendant reported and surrendered himself to the police after the attack and was placed under police custody. However, the Court granted bail last year on condition that he surrendered all travel documents.

The matter had been called many times and was further delayed by the COVID-19 lock down and when a date was set, some of the witnesses had already left for work on fishing boats.

Last week, the prosecutor and police called in the remaining witnesses and refresh their memories on the case, with one witness opting not to testify.

The prosecutor provided a video clip of the incident; unfortunately their witnesses could not attend.

The prosecution offered no evidence and asked for a withdrawal. The Court then dismissed the case.