Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man accused of assaulting his cousin with a hammer has entered into a plea agreement with the government.

The charges against Filotasi Seu, 45, stem from an incident where he allegedly assaulted his 37-year-old relative.

Seu was initially charged with first-degree assault, and first-degree property damage — both felonies — and two misdemeanor charges of trespass and disturbing the public peace.

Under a plea agreement that was accepted by the court, Seu pled guilty to the amended count of second-degree assault.

Seu admits that on Apr. 23, 2020 he assaulted his cousin by hitting him on the head with a hammer. He explained that when he went to his sister-in-law’s home to borrow some tools to fix his vehicle, his friend called out to him and instructed him not to set foot on his land.

According to Seu, his friend (the victim) is the owner of the home that is occupied by his sister-in-law.

Seu said he kept walking to his sister-in-law’s house and eventually knocked on the door. As he was standing on the front doorstep, the victim confronted him and told him to get off the land.

A war of words erupted between the two, which ended when the defendant grabbed a hammer and assaulted the victim, who suffered severe head injuries and had to be admitted to LBJ for an operation.

Seu, who is out on a $5,000 surety bond, is scheduled to appear in court next month for sentencing. The government is recommending probation, saying the two families have already reconciled the matter and Seu has apologized to the victim.