Letter to court ignored

SAMOA – A Supreme Court judge in Samoa has ruled that one of the accused in an alleged plot to assassinate the prime minister be freed on bail.

Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren said in her

ruling that she had disregarded a letter from the complainant, Prime Minister Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi.

She told the prosecution the letter was inappropriate and had no bearing on the matter.

“Communications of this type to a judicial officer is inappropriate from any party or person connected to any court proceedings,” the judge said.

Lema’i Faioso Sione and Malele Atofu Paulo’s trial on a joint charge of conspiring to assassinate the Samoan prime minister is scheduled for November 9.