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CJ Kruse turns down plea agreement for students accused of stoning police car

Chief Justice Michael Kruse
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The two high school students accused of stoning a police car while cops were driving to the Leone Substation from Malaeloa in March of this year have entered into a plea agreement with the government.

Susi Fiso and Jeremiah Moe, both 18, appeared in High Court this week for a Change of Plea hearing.

After the plea agreement was read in court, Chief Justice Michael Kruse called both defendants and their attorneys to the bench to discuss some issues regarding the plea agreement.

After a brief discussion with the parties, Kruse ordered that the case be transferred to the Family, Drug & Alcohol (FDA) court for further proceedings. He then denied the signed plea agreement.

Both defendants were initially charged with first-degree property damage, a class D felony, punishable by up to 5 years in jail, a fine of up to $5,000 or both. However, under the plea agreement, they were to plead guilty to an amended count of third-degree property damage, a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000 or both.

The government also recommended that each man pay restitution of $960, as part of the agreement.

Kruse questioned both men regarding their plea agreements.

When Kruse asked Moe whether he graduated from high school, Moe said no.

Kruse asked him why. That's when Kruse asked both attorneys to approach the bench, along with co-defendant, Fiso. Later on, parents of both men were also called to the bench for a brief discussion.

Afterwards, the case was transferred to FDA. Both Fiso and Moe, who were in custody since their arrest, were released to their parents.

The case is set for FDA court today.