Court to evaluate murder accused Sia Figiel’s Medical Report

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 11 March 2025 – The court will evaluate the 2,000-page medical report on murder accused Papalii Sia Figel’s mental stability.

The report was prepared by an Australian psychiatrist and is scheduled for the courts’ evaluation in two weeks’ time.

Papali’i’s legal counsel, Unasa Iuni Sapolu said the report will determine the future direction of the case.

Papalii has pleaded not guilty to 6 charges including 1 count of murder, 1 count of manslaughter, 1 count of causing serious injuries and 2 counts of armed with a dangerous weapon.

Papali’i is charged in relation to the alleged murder of writer and academic Professor Dr. Caroline Gubbard at Vaivase-tai in June 2024.

Papalii pleaded not guilty when she first appeared in Court, but entered a guilty plea on her second appearance.

At the time, she did not have legal representation and presiding Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma advised her to engage a lawyer, but she said she did not need a lawyer.

The Court however insisted that due to the seriousness of the offence, she needed legal representation.

At one stage she asked the court to be self-represented as she had limited time to talk with Unasa when they meet.

She also contested her lawyer’s application for a medical assessment and for the suppression of her name from any publication. She then told the court that it was the “devil” that made her commit the offence and pressured her to take her own life.

Papalii also wanted the court to issue her sentence then, but Justice Roma informed her that there were issues that needed to be dealt with first.

The matter was recalled last week and adjourned for hearing in August while the medical report is scheduled to be assessed in court in two weeks time.