Police in Samoa have launched an investigation into why 10 witnesses in an attempted murder case didnt turn up on the day of the trial.
Talamua Online reports a former rugby league international, Tagaloa Maugaloto Palu, had attempted murder charges against him dismissed for lack of witnesses earlier this month.
Police Commissioner Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo confirmed the investigation was to find out why the witnesses did not turn up.
“If the investigations find there was no valid reasons why they did not turn up in Court, then they should be charged,” said Auapa’au.
Tagaloa was charged after he attacked two brothers with a machete at the fish market in 2019 before surrendering himself to police.
The incident was recorded and streamed live on social media by a person who was one of the witnesses who did not turn up to court.
Due to covid lockdowns the case had been rescheduled several times until it was heard early this month and the witnesses did not turn up.
The Commissioner said the credibility of the Police will be questioned by the public when these matters happen.
“Personally, the emphasis should be placed upon upgrading and developing police core functions because this is where they fail. We need to look at methods of developing their skills to avoid such matters from happening again,” said Auapa’au.
