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Pago Pago – American Samoa
In the early morning hours of June 15, 2024, a woman contacted the Fagatogo Police Department for assistance as two men had been fighting and a knife was involved.
According to government records, the two persons involved in the case are Mr. Alma Leleiga and Mr. Lupe Paalevao.
Government records state that government security personnel arrived at the scene of the incident and the woman who called the police station described that Faalevao’s fingers were cut by Leleiga’s knife. Faalevao’s brother took the man to the police station and returned home to treat his injuries.
Police then went to Faalevao’s family, where two men from the village told them that Faalevao had been taken to hospital.
Government security representatives then turned to search for Lelega’s home. When the police approached Lelega’s home, they saw some villagers standing outside the hotel. However, when the police asked a neighbor (Lelega’s “uncle”) where Lelega was, no one knew where the man had gone.
The police continued to investigate and found the suspect near the hotel. He was then locked up and taken to a police car. But at that time, many villagers wanted to touch the defendant. The suspect was immediately taken back to the police station.
So, government security personnel returned to the woman’s home, called the police, and continued their investigation.
The woman explained to the police that she had a daughter when the accident happened, so the police took them back to the police station for questioning.
The emergency team was also called in to check the defendant’s head and eye injuries. Lelega was also taken to hospital for treatment of his injuries.
At the time of the interview with the first witness, he was at the hotel and when he saw Leleiga and his brother passing by, he hurried towards them. The witness stated that he saw Leleiga walking in front and Faalevao following behind him.
Eyewitnesses said Lelega punched Paravao first and then they started fighting. He and his brother tried to break up the fight. When their efforts were successful, he gave his property to Lelega. However, Farawo tried to follow Lelega but his brother stopped him and tried to knock on his house.
The witness also said that he ordered Faalevao to go directly to their house, not knowing that Leleiga was waiting for Faalevao in front of Faga’alu’s “drug store”. The witness said that they followed him and his friend to where Faalevao was going and were surprised when they saw Leleiga standing with Faga’alu.
The witness said he ran to Falewo and stood between the two men, unaware that Lelega was holding a knife. When the two men fought again, the witness said he saw Falewo’s arm swinging and Palewo’s arm was injured.
Witnesses explained that they tried to help Faalevo but this time Faalevo ran away.
In the testimony of the second witness, he said that he saw Lelega inflicting injuries on Palevo with a knife and saw blood on Palevo’s hands, but he lost the reason to go to the Reformation.
Faaleleiga was treated for his injuries at Lyndon Johnson and then transported back to the Fagatogo Police Department.
He explained to the police how Falewao challenged him to a fight. Lelega said he went to their house and got the knife. He also said he walked out of the “drug store” but Falewao followed him and challenged him to a fight.
Another witness interviewed by police said that on the night of the accident, he went to look for his family and saw Lelega standing in front of the “drug store” with his hands behind his back.
He also said that he saw Faalevao coming towards him and Leleiga and Faalevao asked the witness if he was his cousin Leleiga and the witness replied “yes”. The witness also explained how when Leleiga (the witness) tried to restrain Faalevao, Faalevao started punching Leleiga in the face and without his knowledge, Faalevao was injured.
Witnesses said he later realized his hands were outstretched.
While Faalewo was receiving treatment at the hospital, members of the government asked Faalewo and his “auntie” to go to the police station after receiving treatment.
In his statement to the police, Palewo said he was on his way home when he saw Leleiga standing alone under a head. Faalevao went to challenge Leleiga to a fight and they started fighting until witnesses stopped it, as mentioned earlier.
Faalevao also stated that Leleiga walked away but he (Faalevao) called him to end the fight at the hotel, however, the witness stopped him. From there, Faalevao went to Leleiga’s house and called Leleiga to come out, but no one responded.
Faalevao went on to say that on his way home, he saw Leleiga standing in front of the “drug store” with his hands behind his back, and he (Faalevao) went there too and challenged Leleiga to fight again, Faalevao said. He did not feel the injury until Leleiga’s cousin pulled him away.
Faalewo said he was home alone with his brother but his “uncle” ordered him to go to hospital to treat his injuries.
Lelega was charged with two counts:
Count 1: Public Disorder – a Class “C” Misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than fifteen (15) days, or a fine of $300; or both.
Count 2: Assault in the Second Degree – a Class “D” felony punishable by not more than five (5) years in prison, or a fine not more than $5,000; or both.
The defendant has been released on $10,000 bail pending trial.
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