Incest charge against mother and stepson withdrawn

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 02 August 2017, 12:00AM

The Attorney General’s Office has withdrawn a charge of incest against a mother and her stepson who appeared before the Supreme Court.

Instead, the pair now faces a charge of adultery.

Fuata’i Amituana’i Vanu and Mua’au Sio appeared before His Honour, Chief Justice Patu Tiava’asu’e Falefatu Sapolu this week.

The Prosecutor is Fuifui Ioane of the Attorney General’s Office.

Before the registrar read out the summary of facts, Ms. Ioane made an application to the Chief Justice to withdraw the incest charge.

 “This is the only charge before the Court but we also seek an adjournment for us to file an adultery charge before the matter is transferred to the District Court.”

The Chief Justice in response said the charge of adultery should have been filed already.

 “Because, once I withdraw the incest charge the two accused have to come out of custody,” he said.

“There is no charge against them so that is exactly what I am going to do now because the adultery charge should have been in by now.”

Chief Justice Patu then informed the accused that the charges against them have been dismissed.

“The prosecutor has requested to withdraw the incest charge against the both of you and the Court has accepted the application made by prosecution and it has been dismissed by the court,” Chief Justice Patu told the accused.

“You will also have to come out of custody.”

“However, the prosecution have other charges against you and maybe someday this week you will be informed of these new charges.”

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 02 August 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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