Local News
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — With Democrats set to control the US House when the 116th Congress convenes this afternoon, the House Democratic leadership will move to — again — allow Delegates from the US territories and the District of Columbia to vote in the Committee of the Whole.
The action is...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Akeli Akeli Jr. was scheduled for an initial appearance last Friday morning in District Court.
According to the criminal complaint, Akeli Jr. is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and two counts of second degree assault. The charges stem from...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The pretrial conference for Tumuatasi Lefatia, a.k.a. Mama, has been continued to Jan. 31, 2019.
The motion for a continuance by Lefatia's attorney, Marcellus Talaimalo Uiagalelei, was granted by Acting Associate Justice Elvis Patea last Wednesday in High Court....
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man who pled guilty to unlawful drug possession was released on his own recognizance last Friday, following a Change of Plea hearing in High Court.
Under a plea agreement with the government, Gertrude Faifaiumu, 29, pled guilty to the amended charge of unlawful...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — James Taito was not present in High Court last Friday for his preliminary examination and a bench warrant has been issued.
When Taito's case was called, his lawyer, Assistant Public Defender Rob McNeill told the court his client was not present, neither was he in custody...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Halfway through his Change of Plea hearing last Friday, Joe Togitogi seemed confused and therefore, Chief Justice Michael Kruse continued the matter to Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019.
Togitogi, 25, is a defendant in two separate cases, for which he is facing charges of escape...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale appears to have the majority on his side, meaning he'll most likely be re-elected to the House leadership post when faipule for the 36th Legislature are sworn in Jan. 3rd.
The swearing-in ceremony usually commences around noon for the 21-...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man who allegedly told police that he had to smoke ice so he could stay awake has been arrested and criminally charged.
Onosa'i Navelika made his initial appearance in District Court last Friday morning. He is currently in custody at the Territorial Correctional...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A female drug defendant will be ringing in the New Year with family and friends after District Court Judge Fiti Sunia ordered her immediate release last Friday.
When Olotele Pouesi's case was called, the government attorney informed the court that they had no witnesses...
![[l-r] Fainu’ulelei; ASLA past president Aaron Thomas; PAI attorneys Richard deSaulles, Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde, and Matailupevao Leupolu; and ASLA staff attorney Frederick O’Brien.](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/asla_certificate.jpg?itok=PmA7Mymj "In this Samoa News file photo, American Samoa Legal Aid executive director Fainu’ulelei Ala’ilima-Utu presented certificates of appreciation to three private attorneys for their participation in ASLA’s Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) reduced fee program and their commitment to ensuring access to equal justice for the poor in American Samoa. [l-r] Fainu’ulelei; ASLA past president Aaron Thomas; PAI attorneys Richard deSaulles, Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde, and Matailupevao Leupolu; and ASLA staff attorney Frederick O’Brien. [SN file photo]")
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Legal Aid (ASLA) recently received notice from James Sandman, president of Legal Services Corporation (LSC), that LSC has awarded a three-year Basic Field Grant of $262,000 per year to the ASLA.
This is according to an announcement by ASLA...