charged

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American Samoa

Police officers charged

Three defendants charged in connection with the death of Tanu Peleti while in police custody last December and the beating of three others have been sentenced by the high court.

The three, Fatua Maiava, Ronald Tui and Peniamina Wilson are among nine police officers implicated in the case.

Maiava, the only public safety officer charged in the second round of the Peleti murder trial, has been sentenced concurrently to one year each on two counts of assault in the third degree and one count of fabricating physical evidence.

Former reserve police officers Tui and Wilson were each sentenced to concurrent terms of six months each for two assaults in the third degree. Tui also received the same sentence for fabricating evidence and Wilson for making a false declaration.

Wilson however received more leniency from the court after t accepted a probation officer’s report. His sentence was uspended and he was placed on probation for one year. The lamoa News says because the law states that persons convicted o serve six months are not eligible for parole, Tui is required o serve his entire six-month sentence. But Maiava who has >een sentenced to one year is eligible for parole and therefore vill spend only about four months in jail.

Three other officers involved in the Peleti murder trial have Iready been convicted while the final three come up for trial oon.