Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man convicted of assaulting his wife and his mother is sentenced by the High Court to two years probations. Wilson Faimafili, who was released on $5,000 surety bond, appeared in High Court last week for sentencing. He was represented by Assistant Public Defender Ryan Anderson while prosecuting the case was Assistant Attorney General Kristine Soule.

Faimafili was initially charged with one count of 2nd degree assault, a class D felony, along with one count of 3rd degree assault, a class A misdemeanor.

But under a plea agreement, accepted by the Court in October of this year, Faimafili pled guilty to the amended count one of 3rd degree assault and count two of 3rd degree assault.

With his guilty plea, Faimafili admits that on Mar. 21, 2020, he assaulted his wife and his mother.

When given the chance to address the court, Faimafili explained to the court what actually happened on the night of March 21, 2020 when his neighbor called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) for assistance after he assaulted his wife.

According to the defendant’s statement to the court, he did not assault his mother, instead one of his punches missed his wife’s face and hit his mother, while his mother was trying to push him away from his wife. He further stated that he’s truly remorseful for what happened and he already apologized to his mother for his action.

With tears in his eyes, Faimafili apologized to the court and the people of American Samoa for his terrible action. He also apologized to his family including his mother, wife and children.

The defendant asked the court for another chance to continue his care for his family because he’s the only person who works to provide food and everything for his family.

Defense attorney Anderson asked the court for a probated sentence saying his client is truly remorseful for his action.

The Prosecutor echoed the defense’s statement saying the defendant is a suitable candidate for a probated sentence. She further asked the court to allow the defendant to attend and complete anger management counseling to help out with his anger problem.

The court told the defendant that his action by assaulting his wife and mother did not sit well with the court, however, the only mitigating factor for him is the fact that this is his first felony conviction.

For the first count of 3rd assault conviction involving the wife, the defendant is sentenced to 12 months imprisonment. For the second conviction of 3rd degree assault involving his mother, the defendant was also sentenced to 12 months imprisonment. The imprisonment terms will run consecutively.

Execution of imprisonment is suspended and the defendant is place on probation for 2 years subject to several conditions.

He will serve a period of detention of 90 days for each conviction. He will be credited for the one day he already served at the TCF before he was released on bond, leaving a balance of 89 days. The balance of detention is stayed until further order of the court.

The court ordered the defendant to pay a fine of $500, remain law abiding, keep the peace at his residence and never harm or threaten his wife and his mother.