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Samoa teens acquitted of rape but guilty of robbery

Two teenagers accused of raping a 63-year-old Filipino woman living in Samoa have been found not guilty of rape and indecent assault.But a panel of four assessors convicted Michael Savali, 19, and Sonny Silva, 17, both from Vaimoso, of robbery yesterday. Supreme Court Justice Lesatele Rapi Vaai presided over the hearing.Savali was represented by lawyer, Fepulea’i Ameperosa Roma while lawyer, Semi Leung Wai stood for Silva. The Prosecutors were Leinafo Taimalelagi and Phaedra Valoia of the Office of the Attorney General.The incident occurred on 10 March 2012 at Toilolo Village.The defendants have been remanded on bail until 10 May 2013 when they will be sentenced for robbery.In his final submission, Mr. Leung Wai argued that only one person was responsible for the rape and that was Nepata Manuleleua. On Tuesday, Manuleleua pleaded guilty when he appeared before the Supreme Court with his lawyer Junior Atoa.