Court

All Evidence Presented by Prosecution for Murder Trial Accepted by the Courts

August 25, 2025

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“All the evidence presented by the police for the murder trial of Papalii Sia Figiel has been accepted by the judge as presented in Court during the trial..”

That is the clarification given by Samoa Police Commissioner, afioga Auapaau Logoitino Filipo.

Prominent Samoan contemporary novelist, Papalii Sia Figiel is charged with the murder of Dr Caroline Sinavaiana-Gabbard who was found dead by police at Papalii’s GaluMoana Theater at Vaivase-uta, on Sunday 26 May 2024.

The 3-day trial before Supreme Court Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma started last week with the Prosecution presenting 13 witnesses including a Police Forensic Specialist who had submitted three large albums of photographs taken at the crime scene as well as the morgue.

As explained by Police and Prosecution, it is generally acceptable to submit photos as evidence in court, as a fair representation of the crime scene, with a clear testimony of Investigating Officers (IOs).

Four police witnesses had all testified to finding the body at the home of the accused, with detailed descriptions of the decaying body as it had been three days since the alleged murder.

Senior Seargant Ma’atusi Lelefu and Constable Steven Tonumaipea provided vivid descriptions of the crime scene at Vaivase on Sunday 26 May 2024.

They testified that a hammer and a kitchen knife were present at the crime scene. The Court received into evidence the many photographs of the scene and the state of the deceased’s deteriorating body.

Forensic Pathologist, Dr. James Kalougaviki, had also given evidence on his horrific postmortem findings. Dr Kalougivaki testified that the cause of death was from severe traumatic head injury, resulting from extensive blunt force trauma.

“The skin on the deceased’s head was partially removed, revealing underlying injuries,” said Dr Kalougivaki.

The Forensic Pathologist told the Court there was a 20-22 millimetre long fracture on the back left side of the head, and another depressed fracture on the right side.

“There were multiple lacerations and tears on the skin, likely caused by a blunt object.”

There were fractures in Dr Caroline’s left forearm – with multiple cracks in the bones, said Dr Kalougivaki.

“There were internal injuries, and the bruising and bleeding on the scalp was consistent with a potential weapon, possibly a hammer.”

A media report alleging the items were “missing” is being refuted by the Police Commissioner as a trivial attack on the Prosecution’s case.

The Prosecutiin has one more witness to be called to give evidence.

Cecilia Alailima is the relative of Papalii Sia Figiel who contacted police on Sunday 26 May 2024 to report the murder.

She told Senior Sergeant Lelefu that there was a dead body at Papalii’s home in Vaivase-uta. Papalii has stayed the night with them at Lotofaga on Saturday night, 25 May 2024.

The trial will resume on 11 September 2025 to allow for Prosecution’s final witness, Ms Cecilia Alailima, to give evidence in Court.

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