The High Court accepted this morning a change of plea from a man in his late 50s who has pled guilty to a reduced charge of second degree assault.
Matauaina Tiatia was originally charged with first degree assault and public peace disturbance.
In exchange for his guilty plea, the PPD charge was dismissed.
The charges against the defendant stemmed from an incident which occurred on July 15th, 2015 where the defendant allegedly caused injury to Vaivai Talimalo Jr.
When Justice Lyle Richmond asked the defendant to describe what happened that day, Tiatia said that he was full of anger after he finally caught the victim who was waiting for a bus.
He said when he questioned the victim about what he did to his plantation and assaulting his children, the victim seemed to have no remorse and his answer was not what he expected to hear.
Tiatia said he got really angry and hit the victim once on the shoulder.
Justice Richmond asked the defendant what he used to cause injury to the victim, and Tiatia said he used a machete.
Tiatia faces 5 years imprisonment or a fine of $5,000 or both when sentenced April 6th.
Assault in the second degree in a Class D felony punishable for up to 5 years of imprisonment and/or a fine of $5,000 or both.
The defendant is being represented by Marcellus Talalelei Uiagalelei and prosecuting the case is Russell Smith of the Attorney General’s Office.
Sentencing for Tiatia has been scheduled for April 6th.
