Ex-Fono employees sent to TCF for 5 yrs

scale-of-justice-4

A former Fono employee, Perenise Ta’ala, is starting a new life behind bars after being sentenced to serve out a suspended 5 year prison term from 2014.

According to Samoa News, in September 2013 Ta’ala was the driver of a Toyota 4-Runner that rammed into a utility pole in Pava’ia’i killing one of the passengers.

In September 2014, he pled guilty to driving under the influence, causing the death of a person. Under a plea agreement with the government, two other felony charges were dismissed.

Ta’ala was given a suspended five year prison term with probation conditions that if he reoffended within the five years he would have to serve out his five year term.

“Today, you appear before this same court for your second probation violation, after you tested positive for methamphetamine again. What is wrong with you?” Judge Elvis Patea asked Taala.

“You were given multiple chances but you failed to use them. The court gave you chances to change your life and be with your family; however, you continued to live your old life, and now you’re asking for another chance so you can be with your family.”

The court then sentenced Ta’ala to the 5-year sentence that was suspended in 2014. He will be credited for time served, which is over 20 months.

He was represented by Assistant Public Defender Rob McNeill while Assistant Attorney General Christy Dunn, prosecuted.