Murder charge withdrawn

Western Samoa

A CFIARGE of murder against six matai (chieffs) from Lono village has been withdrawn in the Supreme Court.TThe charge followed the death of a fellow villager who was killed I in front of his fami ly last year.

But the matai, head of families, pleaded guihlty to having incited people in Lono village to wilfully damage tlhe home of Nuutai Fataiala Mafulu. Nuutaai was shot dead byy a first cousin in September last year and his property was butrned to the ground.

The cousin received a life sentence for the slhooting.

The six matai who are members of the village’s ruling body, the Fono, set laws for its members as well as pemalties such as fines, banishment or the destruction of property off lawbreakers.

They have been released on bail until sentemcing on November 7.