23 Oct 2008

Trial of an assistant police commissioner in Samoa postponed by pregnancy of key witness

7:35 pm on 23 October 2008

The trial of an assistant police commissioner in Samoa, Moto'otua Tiatia, has been postponed until March next year because one of the prosecution's

key witnesses, a police woman, is expecting a baby this month.

The senior police officer is facing five counts of common assault relating to a complaint by two junior police women who had accused the assistant commissioner of sexual harassment.

A three-day trial, scheduled to begin this week, has been delayed until March next year, by the pregnancy.

The presiding judge of the district court postponed the case saying evidence at a criminal trial needs to be heard in full on the set dates.