The trial of Mataupu Mamona, charged with the murder of his wife last February, ended Friday with the jury returning a not guilty verdict for the most serious charge of first degree murder.
Mamona however was convicted of first degree assault, public peace disturbance and false reporting.
The defendant, represented by Public Defender Douglas Fiaui, will be sentenced April 7th.
The key witness for the government was Mamona’s 9-year-old son who testified that he saw from a hole in the door to his parents’ room, his father putting a rope around his mother’s neck and pulling the rope until she was no longer breathing.
The defense drew attention to the defendant‘s statement that his wife had called him that day and said he will see what will happen.
Mamona‘s statement to police said when he entered their bedroom his wife had hung herself, and he untied the cloth and brought her down.
Mrs Mamona was admitted to the LBJ Hospital and was put on a life support system however she could not be revived.
The case came to the notice of authorities after the son reported what he saw to his teacher and the case turned into a homicide.
A four woman three men jury decided Mamona’s verdict.
The prosecutor was assistant Attorney General Gerard Murphy.
