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Woman facing defamation charges withdraws application to leave Samoa

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US based Perkins Feagiai Headly is facing 26 charges for defamation.

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 11 NOVEMBER 2022: A US based Samoan woman, Perkins Feagiai Headly has withdrawn her application to leave jurisdiction and accepted by District Court Judge, Alalatoa Rosella Papali’i.

“That is a wise choice,” said Judge Papali’i.

Last week, Perkins applied to leave jurisdiction but no details were given, and the application was scheduled for hearing yesterday.

However, Perkins changed her mind and decided to wait out her court hearing on 26 defamation charges now scheduled for a three day hearing in March 2023.

Judge Papali’i ordered her to surrender any other travel documents she may have such as a Samoan passport. She had already surrendered her US passport to police.

Judge Papali’i also changed the bail conditions and the accused does not have to sign in at the Faleolo police station anymore.

Perkins defamation charges stemmed from social media comments and accusations she allegedly made against the Prime Minister, Government and the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi-FAST party.

The defendant is represented by lawyer Faimalomatua Mathew Lemisio, and police is represented by private prosecutor, Taimalelagi Leinafo Taimalelagi Strickland.