Ads by Google Ads by Google

Man convicted for domestic violence is back in court — said she slapped him, he did nothing this time

American Samoa District Court building
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man convicted last year for 3rd degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child, both involving domestic violence is now back in court after police arrested him last week on the allegation that he assaulted his wife again.

To protect the identity of the victim, Samoa News is withholding the names of all parties involved.

The defendant, a 42-year-old carpenter, appeared in District Court last week. He is charged with third-degree assault, private peace disturbance (PPD) and contempt of court.

Bond is set at $1,000 and if the defendant is able to post bond, he is to comply with all conditions the court set when he was sentenced last year for a prior case, including the condition that he make no direct or indirect contact with his wife and children.

The court make it clear to the defendant that no direct contact means he’s not allowed to go back to his wife’s house or place of work, nor try to contact her on her cell phone or on Social Media.

According to the government’s case, the wife contacted police for assistance after she and her three young children arrived home and found the defendant sitting outside of the house intoxicated.

The wife exited her vehicle while the children remained inside the vehicle, walked towards the defendant and informed him to leave the land and the house before she calls police. The defendant’s first reaction was to apologize to his wife and beg for another chance, but the wife explained to him that he’s not supposed to come back to them while the court order is in effect.

It was at that time that the defendant got mad and told his wife that they are his family and he wants to come back home. After a short confrontation between the defendant and the wife, the government alleges that the defendant assaulted his wife by pulling her hair and slapping her in the face twice in front of the vehicle with his three young children inside.

The defendant fled the scene before police arrived. Two hours later on that same night, police apprehended the defendant at his new girlfriend’s house in Vaitogi and transported him to the Tafuna Substation for questioning.

When asked about the alleged incident, the defendant apologized to police for his action, and admitted that he went to his wife’s home to get his clothes and his tools he needed for his construction work.

The defendant further denied the allegation that he assaulted his wife in front of his children. According to the defendant’s statement to police, it was his wife who slapped him in the face multiple times while he was just stood in front of her doing nothing.

BACKGROUND

The defendant was sentenced to 12 months probation after the court convicted him of third-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child in December of last year. Conditions of his probation are that he remain law abiding, stay away from his wife and children and not to consume alcohol or possess any illegal drugs.