On Friday the government offered a plea agreement which was accepted by the defendant in hopes of a lighter sentence.
Ivale Vanuvanu was charged with public peace disturbance and assault in the 2nd degree.
The defendant, represented by Assistant Public Defender Mike White pleaded guilty to assault second degree and the ppd charge was dismissed.
The court accepted the plea agreement.
The 50-year-old Vanuvanu had struck his brother-in-law with intent to seriously injure him.
The government’s case states that on the night of May 30th, this year, Vanuvanu got into an argument with his brother in law and driven by anger walked out to the umu, grabbed the coconut husker or mele’i, and struck the victim 3 times.
The victim was left with a 4-inch laceration across his forehead and another 4-inch wound on his forearm.
As the victim was trying to run away Vanuvanu struck him for the last time on his back leaving a major bruise.
Chief Justice Michael Kruse said the court accepts the agreement and noted that the defendant is on medication for mental illness.
