Double murderer Pokati Tu’u sentenced to life imprisonment

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 8 May 2026 – Double murderer, Muaava Pokati Tu’u has been sentenced to life imprisonment after a panel of Assessors returned a guilty verdict after a two-week hearing.

The verdict was delivered late this afternoon and before they retired, Justice Leutele Mata Tuatagaloa acknowledged the Assessors’ time and handling of the case.

Justice Tuatagaloa said the penalty for the charge of murder is an automatic life sentence and she informed Muaava that his sentence starts today after the verdict.

However, Prosecution asked the court for Pokati to serve 20 years before applying for parole.

Justice Tuatagaloa however said that anyone sentenced to a life sentence can apply for parole after serving 10 years and reminded Prosecution to follow procedure and file an application for the defense to respond.

Defense counsel opposed the application straight out, however, both counsels have to follow procedures for prosecution to file the application and defense to submit a response.

Muaava was charged on two counts of murder that happened on the 21 and 22 July 2024.

The victims were Pokati’s ex-wife’s partner, Lafaele Iosefa who was shot at night as he entered the couple’s mosquito net and Police Detective Sergeant Mamea Peniamina Perite, who led the police team to arrest Pokati the following day.

According to a Constable Jordan Sales’ evidence in court, he found Detective Sergeant Mamea Peniamina Perite in a kneeling position and leaning forward towards a barbed wire fence and hugging the 22-rugger riffle.

Prosecutor was Lucy Ofoia and defense counsel was Maposua Tanya Toailoa.