Domestic disturbance brings about assault charges
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On November 15, 2024, police officers responded to a domestic violence case where the husband allegedly choked his wife for refusing to have sex.
The suspect was later arrested and charged with:
Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree ( As an A Misd.) (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both; and,
Count 2: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by fifteen days, a fine of $300.00 but nor more than $150, or both.
The defendant’s bail was set at $30,000.
According to the affidavit, on Nov. 15th, at about 1:30 p.m., an investigation stated that a husband (referred to as suspect) and his wife (victim) sat down on the bed where the suspect asked the victim to have sexual intercourse.
The victim refused and the suspect got mad and choked the victim. The victim tried to fight off the suspect but was unsuccessful. The victim also was unable to scream or yell out because the suspect was sitting on her stomach and choking her. The victim was out of breath and her body started to shut down and she became unconscious.
While the suspect thought that the victim was dead, he punched her twice in the back where the victim regained consciousness and was able to run away from the suspect. The victim ran towards the suspect’s parent’s bedroom for help but the suspect caught up to her and choked her again — where they both fell to the ground.
The suspect’s parents came running and tried to stop the suspect from choking the victim and the suspect pulled the victim’s leg towards him and bit her toe.
When the officers arrived at the scene, they located the suspect and proceeded to check on the victim. Upon approaching the victim, police officers could see that the victim was still in shock. She was just sitting on the bed without moving but breathing slowly.
One of the officers poked the victim’s arm in an effort to get her attention but the victim continued to stare at the wall. The officer then massaged the victim’s arm downwards where she finally looked at the officer and nodded that she was okay.
The suspect was apprehended by the officers and placed inside the police unit for transport to the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS). The victim was also transported to the TPS to be treated by the EMS where she was later transported to the hospital for further treatment.
The victim had scratches and redness on her neck from being strangled. Bite marks were also observed on her left toe.
During the interview process, the suspect refused to be questioned.
He was booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to be confined until the next available sitting of the District Court.
It was noted that this has been an ongoing domestic violence and the victim fears for her and her children’s lives because the suspect has not been himself lately.
The defendant is identified as a 30-year-old U.S National.