Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Feleti Niue appeared in District Court last Friday for a pretrial conference, where he pled guilty to third degree assault, a class A misdemeanor.

When presiding Judge Fiti Sunia asked Niue to provide details of the incident, Niue said he assaulted his sister by striking her on the chest with a fishing pole.

Niue apologized to the court and said it will never happen again.

His attorney, Assistant Public Defender Anna Wells mentioned that her client has already spent nearly 4 months in jail, and she requested that any additional punishment be in form of probation.

Judge Sunia said Niue has spent 111 days at the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) because bond was set at $1,000 and he was never able to post it.

Niue was then sentenced to 111 days in jail but was credited for time served. "You are released," Judge Sunia said. "You are strongly advised however, to maintain the peace with your sister and if necessary, stay away from her."

ENISELINA MOSESE

Eniselina Mosese pled guilty to third degree assault, a class A misdemeanor last Friday during court proceedings in District Court. The charge of public peace disturbance was dismissed.

Assistant Public Defender Anna Wells, on behalf of her client, asked the court for a probated sentence.

When asked for an explanation of what happened, Mosese told the court that she punched her sister in law — in the face — because she swore at her.

Presiding Judge Fiti Sunia sentenced Mosese to 12 months probation, during which time she must remain law abiding, visit the Probation Office as required, remain alcohol and drug free, be subject to random testing, and attend and complete alcohol counseling at the Dept. of Human and Social Services (DHSS).

Mosese was ordered to spend 45 days at the TCF and she was credited one day. The court has stayed the remaining 44 days and fined her $100. Her probation is up for review April 26, 2019.