Sam, his Wife Sivai found Guilty of Defamation and Perverting the Course of Justice

2026-03-27 - 07:33

The District Court in its ruling has found Samuelu “Sam” Fauena Su’a guilty of eight counts of defamation, while his wife Sivai Kepi Mamea has been found guilty of two counts of perverting the course of justice. Lise Marie Schmidt was found guilty of hiding Marie Tusi – a witness who Sam claims he was with of the night of the hit-and-run. The charges against Sam and his wife Sivai stemmed from an interview broadcasted on the Tautai A’e Program on the 13th September 2023 where he says he witnessed a hit and run on the night of Tuesday 20 April. Sam accused Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi of being the driver that allegedly killed 19 year old NUS student, Tuuau Maletino. He said on a publicly boradcasted interview that he and Marie Tusi were sitting on the hilltop road in Vaitele on the night of the hit-and-run, and witnessed the accident. However, during the 5-week trial, Marie Tusi changed her story twice. At one stage, the witness said she was never there that night with Sam, and then again changed her story to say that she was. Samuelu was facing 104 charges including fabricating evidence, conspiracy to commit an offence, harassment using electronic means, and defamation, while his wife faced 59 charges. For the one count of hiding the witness Marie Tusi, Lise Marie Schmidt says she was originally charged with accessory after the fact by harboring Samuelu and his wife Sivai – but there were no charges of hiding Marie Tusi against her. “My lawyers will check next week when the decision is issued.” Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt was cleared of all criminal charges by the District Court, bringing an end to a high-profile case that has dominated Samoa’s political and legal landscape for more than a year. Senior District Court Judge Judge Talasa Atoa Saaga said her written decision will be available on Monday. Judge Atoa Saaga did not confirm when she will deliver her sentencing for the three defendants that have been found guilty.