The dismissal of the attempted murder charge against Tagaloa Maugaloto Palu, a former Toa o Samoa prop as the Attorney General’s office “could not offer any evidence”.
This matter is in relation to a machete attack that occurred in 2020 at the fish market where Tagaloa allegedly struck two men with a machete.
Fuifui Ioane, the prosecutor for this matter confirmed with Radio Polynesia this would be the third time, this matter has adjourned due to the unavailability of the complaining witnesses.
Initially, the case was scheduled to be heard before the Supreme Court for hearing this week and Ms. Ioane attempted to adjourn the matter to locate its witnesses, however, Supreme Court Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma put it to the next day.
Ms Ioane explained information relayed to her was that one of the victims left the Country, while other witnesses were a “no show” hence the move to withdraw the criminal charges of attempted murder, 2 charges of grievous bodily harm, and a charge of being armed with a dangerous weapon against Tagaloa.
Furthermore, Police who located the witnesses informed the Prosecutor they were reluctant to testify on this matter.
The AG’s office had no choice, as the witnesses for the case did not show up to testify and this case has been dragging for over two years, said the Prosecutor.
