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Volleyball game allegedly leads to some heavy duty violence

TCF — Territorial Correctional Facility sign
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 34-year-old man from Samoa who is accused of assaulting another man using a metal pipe has been arrested and charged with felonious second degree assault and two misdemeanor charges: property damage and unlawful stealing.

Lafitaga Talia made his initial appearance in the District Court two weeks ago where he waived his right to a preliminary examination. He appeared in High Court last week for arraignment where he entered a not guilty plea to the charges against him.

Pretrial conference is Aug. 24th.

According to the government, Talia and the victim got into a disagreement during a volleyball game, which resulted with Talia using a metal pipe to strike the victim, causing injuries to the victim’s head.

Talia’s attorney, Assistant Public Defender, Bob Stuart, asked the court for a reduction of bail from $5,000 to $2,000.

Stuart told the court his client is a hardworking man and he’s the only member of his family who works to provide for his wife and two children. He said his client is not a flight risk and he has no intention of leaving his family. Furthermore, Stuart told the court that the alleged injuries to the victim are not life threatening.

The government’s attorney opposed the defense’s motion, saying bail set by the court is the appropriate amount for the offense.

The court denied the defense’s motion and bail remains at $5,000; and because he is unable to post bond, Talia remains in custody at the TCF.