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Man jumps into fray after sister seriously injured trying to stop fight

American Samoa High Court building
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Willie Lafai is facing felony charges following an incident that occurred in Malaeimi on Jan. 23 2021.

Lafai is held on bail of $5,000 on charges of second-degree assault and property damage. His co-defendant Fereti Tolai is also charged with two counts of second-degree assault.

According to the government’s case, a woman, in an attempt to stop a fight between Tolai and another man during a drinking session, was hit on the head with an empty beer bottle allegedly thrown by Tolai. The woman is the sister of Lafai.

When Lafai saw that his sister was hit by an empty beer bottle, he turned around and punched Tolai in his face, causing Tolai to fall. Lafai then kicked Tolai multiple times in his back and head while he was lying on the ground.

Lafai also struck Tolai’s vehicle with a shovel, leaving damages that were estimated at $1,256.

During the plea agreement in court last month, Lafai entered a guilty plea to property damage while the assault charge was dismissed. He admitted that he struck his co-defendant’s vehicle with a shovel causing damage to the windshield.

Lafai, who has been in custody unable to post his $10,000 surety bond, is scheduled to appear in court on April for sentencing, after the court accepted his change of plea.

Co-defendant Tolai, who is still in custody unable to post his $5,000 surety bond, is scheduled to appear in court next month for his Change of Plea hearing. He’s charged with one count of 2nd degree assault for causing serious head injuries to Lafai’s sister.