Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man has been charged for allegedly assaulting his pregnant wife. To protect the identity of the wife, Samoa News has opted not to name the defendant in this case.

The defendant is held on bail of $30,000 and he was in court yesterday for his preliminary examination before the District Court.

According to the government’s case police received a call for assistance from the defendant’s mother.

The incident occurred on December 5, 2022.

It’s alleged that when police arrived the defendant took off on foot and the police found the victim covered in blood and begging the police to remove her immediately from the scene and away from the defendant.

The victim told police they were all outside in the patio where the defendant was drinking beer. The woman alleges her husband was “trying to play with her but she felt pain on her right wrist so she told him to stop.

 “She then moved her hands away from him, which made him angry.”

The defendant allegedly struck the victim on her face twice. He then punched her in the right eye with a closed fist.

 “After the punch in her eye, she felt a hard hit on her head. That’s when her body was in shock then she felt numb.

 “She then saw him grab another cement brick and tried to drop it on her head but she was able to cover it (her head) with her hand.

 “She further states that this is an ongoing matter every time the defendant was intoxicated.”

According to the government’s case the defendant would take out his anger on her whenever he has family issues.

It’s alleged that a broken machete, and a half cement brick were seized from the scene by police and taken into the evidence room.

During follow-up, police saw the defendant, who took off running, and officers pursued him and he was apprehended.

The defendant is charged with second-degree and third-degree assault.