Man who shot sleeping 12-year-old changes plea to guilty

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 24 April 2025 – A 27-year-old man of Salelavalu, Kiuga Talouli Levi has changed his not guilty plea to guilty to the charge of murder.

The charge stemmed from an incident at Salelavalu, Savaii in August 2024 which resulted in the death of a 12-year-old boy.

According to police report, the incident happened while the deceased was asleep inside a mosquito net at his family home.

It is reported that the defendant was having an affair with the deceased’s sister who was married to an Asian man.

The deceased reported the affair to his father which was alleged as the root of the defendant’s action towards the deceased.

After pleading guilty, presiding Justice Fepuleai Ameperson Roma placed the accused under police custody and adjourned the matter to 30 April 2025 for sentencing.