Parties to 10 year old murder case settle out of court

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 15 MARCH 2023: Three parties to a civil claim have settled out of court and Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke discontinued all legal issues pertaining to the matter Wednesday this week.

The civil claim stemmed from a murder case in 2013 but police did not charge anyone until four years later when Vae’ua Seiuli and Walker Seiuli were arrested and charged in 2017.

In 2018, police dropped the charges due to the lack of evidence and since then, the accused filed a civil claim against the Ministry of Police.

In February 2023 the parties agreed on a Memorandum of Agreement but needed time to finalize the paperwork.

The counsels for the parties informed the Court this week that they have settled the matter but did not disclose the amount of the settlement. The Court’s previous suppression order on the disclosure of settlement remains.