Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The defendant in the deadly car crash in front of the StarKist main gate early last Saturday morning has waived his right to a preliminary examination (PX) and the case is now bound over to High Court for arraignment on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021 at 9a.m.

Chanel Lafua, who is being held at the Territorial Correctional Facility with a $75,000 bond appeared before District Court Judge Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde Wednesday morning for his PX.

When Lafua’s case was called, his defense attorney, Public Defender, Michael White informed the court that he already spoke to his client and he wished to waive his rights to a PX and let his case be bound over to the High Court for further proceedings.

Judge Tauiliili-Langkilde asked Lafua if this is what he wants — to waive his rights to a PX and let his case be bound over to High Court for further proceedings — Lafua replied, “Yes, your honor.”

The court then scheduled Lafua’s next court appearance for Monday at 9a.m in High Court for his arraignment.

Lafua is charged with 4 counts of homicide by vehicle and 4 counts of driving while under the influence of alcohol causing death, all class D felonies, each will be punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both; one count of felonious restraint involving domestic violence, a class C felony, punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 7 years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both; along with misdemeanors charges of 2 counts of 3rd degree assault and 4 counts of reckless driving causing bodily injury, all class A misdemeanors, punishable by term of imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.