Samoan novelist, poet and playwright Papali’i Sia Figiel has reapplied for bail after previously indicating her intent to enter a guilty plea for the murder of Professor Caroline Sinavaiana Gabbard.
Samoa Observer reports Papali’i made the bail application through her lawyer Unasa Iuni Sapolu, when she appeared in the Supreme Court on Monday.
The prosecutor, Maiavatele Timothy Fesili told the court that after careful consideration they will proceed with all charges, including murder.
In response, the defense said the defendant would maintain her not-guilty plea and wished to reinstate her bail application, which the prosecution continues to oppose.
Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma has scheduled the bail hearing for September 9th before Senior Supreme Court Justice Vui Clarence Nelson.
Meanwhile, the court has already scheduled the substantive hearing for March next year.
It is not clear what happened to the psychiatric assessment that Papali’i applied for and the progress on that application.
