A man who fought with a member of the Malaeloa aumaga or village police was in District Court this morning .
He and the aumaga member both pleaded not guilty to charges of public peace disturbance.
Last evening, the Leone substation received a call from a woman about a group of young men drinking near her house.
When the police arrived, there were 3 members of the aumaga present.
One of them, Sofeni Talia, resisted arrest and police had difficulty restraining him.
Because of this the aumaga boys jumped in to help the police officers .
Talia allegedly punched one of the aumaga boys while screaming “chooohooo.”
The other defendant later identified as Vaituulima Afamiliona, interfered with Talia ‘s arrest by pulling him away from the officers and telling him to go home.
Both defendants who reeked of alcohol said that they had been drinking for hours.
Police apprehended the two and took them to the Leone substation.
District Court Judge Fiti Sunia remarked in court this morning, “its good the community and the government are working together.”
The two defendants were barefoot when they entered court.
Talia said to KHJ News, “they could have at least let us grab our shoes …these guys were a bit rough”
Judge Sunia released the two defendants on their own recognizance and ordered that they not consume any alcohol beverages or use illegal drugs of any kind.
Their status hearing is set for October 13th
