23 Apr 2016

Life sentence for killing American Samoan policeman

3:57 pm on 23 April 2016

In American Samoa, a man has been sentenced to life in prision for the fatal shooting of police officer, lieutenant Liusila Brown.

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Photo: 123RF

Siaumau Siaumau Junior had faced several charges including first degree murder for shooting Lusila Brown in front of the temporary High Court building in Fagatogo on July 22, 2010.

The charges include injuring two other police officers.

However, under a plea agreement reached with the prosecutor last month, the defendant pleaded guilty to one count of second degree murder and two counts of first degree assault.

Our correspondent says each count is a class A felony, which is punishable by life imprisonment and/or a terms of not less than 10 years, not to exceed 30 years for each of the criminal counts.

At the sentencing hearing in the High Court, Associate Justice Lyle Richmond sentenced the defendant to life in prison for the second degree murder count.

And for the assault charges, the defendant was sentenced to 10-years imprisonment for each count.

The judge said terms of imprisonment runs consecutive.