American Samoa Government v. Lefeiloa'i

ORDER DENYING MOTION TO SUPPRESS

Introduction

On May 14, 2005, at approximately 11:00 p.m., Kapeneta Lefeiloa'i (“Defendant”) allegedly assaulted Fei'i Ne'emia outside the SM Mart in Tafima. Although Ne'emia appeared to have sustained only minor facial lacerations and a broken nose in the altercation, he died less than two hours later.

*300After the assault, Defendant fled the scene. Approximately five hours later, the police apprehended Defendant at his home, charged him with disturbing the peace, and at around 4:45 a.m., transported him to the Tafuna Substation for questioning. At approximately…