Samoa Supreme Court hears $700,000 'Stigmata Girl' lawsuit against The Observer
Apia, SAMOA — The hearing of a $700,000 lawsuit brought by Reverend Opapo Soanai Oeti and his daughter, Toaipupuaga, against the Samoa Observer was held in the Supreme Court yesterday.

![In this 2016 Samoa News file photo, Toaipuapuagā Opapo-Ah Chong shows the signs of “stigmata” — the term used by members of the Christian faith to describe body marks, sores, or sensations of pain in locations corresponding to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ, such as the hands, wrists, and feet. [SN file photo] Toaipuapuagā Opapo-Ah Chong shows the signs of “stigmata”](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/stigmata_girl5324web.jpg?itok=kfnL-v-t)
![Congresswoman Amata with Chairman Johnny Isakson, U.S. Senator from Georgia, at the Senate/House veterans hearing. [photo: courtesy] Congresswoman Amata with Chairman Johnny Isakson](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/amata_and_jackson.jpg?itok=e0P-f4hM)
![Nadine Solofa-Taufa’asau (right), store manager of Neil’s ACE Home Center, talks with ASCC student and Business Ambassadors of ASCC (BAOA) member Epifania Petelo in front of the Business & Professional Women (BPW) of Pago Pago banner following a seminar held at ASCC last week. The seminar on job interview etiquette was a collaboration between BTW Pago Pago, the ASCC Business Department, and BAOA. [photo: J. Kneubuhl] Nadine Solofa-Taufa’asau (right), talks with ASCC student](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/ascc_-_bpw_seminar.jpg?itok=VzCqrMpL)

![After falling 33-0 to New Zealand in their first game, Samoa met Spain in Pool A play at the HSBC Sevens in Las Vegas on March 1, 2019. Tofatu Solia is seen here on his way to Manu's first try. Samoa beat Spain 26-21 on Friday, March 1, 2019. [Photo by Joe Hamby, Courtesy Barry Markowitz] Samoa met Spain in Pool A play](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/samoa_beats_spain.jpg?itok=63W-9His)
![Samoa’s Elisapeta Alofipo makes a break against Spain and scores in Pool A play at the HSBC Sevens in Las Vegas on March 1, 2019. Samoa beat Spain 26-21. They play Canada in their final pool game on March 2, 2019. [Photo by Joe Hamby, Courtesy Barry Markowitz] Samoa’s Elisapeta Alofipo makes a break against Spain](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/alofipo_drives.jpg?itok=pOL-NwpL)
![New Zealand’s Akuila Rokolisoa scores against Canada in Pool A play at the HSBC Sevens in Las Vegas on March 1, 2019. New Zealand beat Canada 33-19. New Zealand plays Spain in their final pool game on March 2, 2019. [Photo by Joe Hamby, Courtesy Barry Markowitz] New Zealand’s Akuila Rokolisoa scores against Canada](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/nz_vs_spain.jpg?itok=vd825TDd)
![American Samoa’s other team, the USA Eagles, pose for a team photo in front of their fans after the all nations parade the evening before the USA Rugby Sevens held March 1-3, 2019 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. [Photo by Allan Hamilton/Courtesy Barry Markowitz] American Samoa’s other team, the USA Eagles](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/usa_eagles.jpg?itok=CoNamqQy)
![A Taupou greeted rugby fans during a pre-event parade as Samoa put on a superb show at the all nations parade the evening before the USA Rugby Sevens held March 1-3, 2019 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. [Photo by Allan Hamilton/Courtesy Barry Markowitz] A Taupou greeted rugby fans](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/taupou_parade.jpg?itok=mltBkgtN)



![IN CUSTODY. The jury trial for Thomas Siaumau, accused of shooting at a cop and a police unit late December 2017 continues in High Court. [photo: AF] Thomas Siaumau](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/thomas_siaumau_0234_1.jpg?itok=JR_iJhS_)
