Three inmates of the Territorial Correctional Facility may have their prison terms extended if they are found guilty of second degree assault.
According to police the three, Manu Lefatia, Reggie Va’avale and Asofa Titio are charged with beating another detainee, Nick Matai’a.
The victim was admitted to the hospital as a result of the beating.
Samoa News reports the charges against the trio are class D felonies, punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
The three are also each charged with 3rd degree assault, a class A misdemeanor.
They made their initial appearances yesterday morning represented by Assistant Public Defender Anne Wells while Assistant Attorney General Jason Mitchell was the prosecutor.
District Court Judge Fiti Sunia established bonds for each of the three defendants at $20,000, with the usual caveats, including not to make any direct or indirect contact with the victim nor any of the government’s witnesses.
