Husband jailed for 12 years for death of his pregnant wife

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 27 SEPTEMBER 2022: Edward Ulberg of Vailoa, Faleata has been jailed for 12 years and 4 months for the death of his pregnant wife in December last year.

Presiding Justice Niava Mata Tuatagaloa noted the seriousness of the offence and set the starting point for a sentence at 18 years.

“What you did was done in anger and it has affected your family especially your children who are now without a mother,” said Justice Tuatagaloa.

“The Court frowns upon this kind of offence,” she said.

In noting that, she accepted the Prosecutors application for an 18 year starting point for a sentence over the 8 years requested by defense counsel Magele Leone Sua.

Justice Tuatagaloa also took into consideration the mitigating factors on behalf of the defendant such as being remorseful, that a traditional apology had already been performed and pleading guilty to the offence at an earlier stage.

On these factors, Justice Tuatagaloa deducted 12 months for the traditional apology, 4 months for pleading guilty and 20 months for being a first offender.

Also deducted is the number of months he was under police custody since the incident last year.