An 18 year old female high school student has been placed on probation for 12 months for assaulting a fellow student who had posted something she didnt like on Facebook.
Mala Mataiao, according to Samoa News, was initially charged with public peace disturbance and third degree assault.
In court yesterday, a plea agreement was reached ain which Mataiao pled guilty to public peace disturbance and the assault charge was dropped.
Mataiao told the court that she was upset with comments made by the other student on her Facebook page and that’s why she “beat her up” in the parking lot of a Tafuna store.
Attorneys from both sides had recommended probation for 6 months, anger management counseling, and no contact with the victim.
In sentencing, Judge Elvis Patea told the defendant that the court doesn’t take lightly to people who “take matters and the law into their own hands, in order to solve problems or perceived problems.”
He said whatever “momentary satisfaction” Mataiao got on the day in question has now landed her in court, facing the “consequences”.
Probation conditions include being law abiding and attendance at an anger management counseling program.
Mataiao was also instructed to refrain from making contact with the victim, either in person or electronically.
