Man Who Attacked Wife with Bushknife Ordered Out of the Territory

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Chief Justice Michael Kruse told a man who admitted to slashing his wife with a bush knife the remedy for a relationship crisis is to file for divorce instead of resorting to physical violence.

The defendant who is not named to protect his wife’s privacy was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment but the execution of that sentence was suspended and he was placed on 15 years probation.

The court ordered that the defendant be sent back to Samoa and remain outside the territory for the period of his probation.

The defendant was charged with assault in the 1st degree for attacking his wife

According to court reports the defendant was mad at his wife and attacked her with a machete with the intent to severely injure her.

He had chased  her down to cut her up with the machete but the wife was able to escape.

The defendant in his apology said that the time he spent in the Territorial Correctional Facility has made him think about his actions and is truly remorseful.

He pleaded that the court allow him to seek employment to help his children get an education and he will better his ways.

But Assistant Attorney General Robert Pickett said, “Your Honor, he wanted to kill his wife.”

Quoting from the probation report, Pickett said the defendant made a statement that his first swing was not strong enough and that he was aiming at the victim’s neck.

He also wished that he caught her to avoid having the neighbors seeing him cut her.

The prosecutor also told the court the wife does not wish to continue their marriage and does not want the defendant near their children.

Before sentencing, Chief Justice Micheal Kruse directed comments to the defendant:  “The remedy for a relationship crisis is to file for divorce then come to court to settle it but not try to slash your wife with a machete.”

He added, “It was by grace of God that your wife was not severely injured.”

The defendant was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment but the execution of sentence was suspended and he was placed on 15 years probation.

 

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