Media banned from publishing

details of confessed killer’s statement

JUSTICE Andrew Wilson of the Supreme Court has granted an interim injunc tion ordering media in Apia not to publish, broadcast or distribute a statement given by convicted killer, Alatise Leafa Vitale, on July 30, 1999.

Attorney General, Brenda Heather filed the injunction that was delivered to all government and private media in Samoa mid-August. The statement referred to by the injunction is believed to be Vitale’s confession to the murder of Public Works minister, Luagalau Levaula Kamu, which the “60 minutes” pro gramme produced by Television New Zealand, has revealed in New Zealand.

The injunction bans even reference to the existence or contents of the statement in email.

It also covers the distribution of “any overseas publication or broadcast which

contains: (i) extracts from the said state ment; (ii) references to the said statement; in either the English or Samoan language.”

The injunction stops the “publishing or broadcasting any recorded report or video tape from New Zealand of the documen tary ‘6O Minutes’ produced by Television New Zealand which refers to the said statement.” The injunction refers to the “said statement made by Alatise Leafa Vitale on 30 July 1999 at the Apia Police Station which was witnessed by Detective Inspector Steve Shortland and Detective Sergeant Phillip Kirkham.”

The detectives were New Zealand police officers who helped the Samoan police investigate the July 16th shooting of Luagalau.

Alatise’s statement is relevant to the Attorney General’s case against Toi Auku so Cain and Leafa Vitale, according to the injunction. Both have also been charged with the murder of Luagalau. ■