The Supreme Court in Samoa has been told that police instructed the family of a man accused of attempted murder to clean out the crime scene where a woman is alleged to have been shot.
Peter Tulaga was in court yesterday for the hearing of his bail application.
He has been in custody for three weeks now after being arrested and charged with attempted murder.
His victim, reported to be his partner, was flown to New Zealand for further treatment two weeks ago.
TV1Samoa says during the hearing yesterday before Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren, a medical report indicated the victim had been stabbed with a sharp object before she was shot.
But the gun alleged to have been used in the assault has still not been recovered and yesterday defense lawyer Leota Tima Leavai told the court her client told her the gun must have fallen out of his truck.
She also told the court that the family of the defendant had burned pillows and bed sheets from the crime scene on instructions from police.
Police have denied this allegation and strongly opposed the bail application because he may interfere with ongoing police investigations.
Justice Tafaoimalo is to render a ruling on the bail motion on Tuesday, February 19.
