17 Nov 2022

Samoan court rejects killer's appeal against his conviction

11:00 am on 17 November 2022
Kolani Junior Lam

Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

In Samoa, a man who appealed his life imprisonment for killing his wife and making it look like a suicide has lost his appeal against his conviction.

Kolani Junior Lam was jailed for life in December 2019 after being found guilty of murdering his wife Sau Justina Sau, who was the Chief Executive Officer of the Unit Trust of Samoa at the time.

The Samoa Observer reports the decision by the Court of Appeal was handed down earlier this week.

After considering the merits of the application filed by the defendant, the Court dismissed Lam's appeal against his murder conviction.

No retrial was ordered by the court.

Lam was given the maximum life imprisonment sentence in December 2019 after he was found guilty of the murder of Sau, guilty of assault on another person, and attempting to defeat the course of justice.