A father facing 79 charges of rape and 79 charges of incest has pleaded not guilty before the Supreme Court of Samoa today.
Lead Prosecutor Leone Su’a-Mailo says they had discussed the option of entering a guilty plea to the rape charges, if the charges of incest were lifted.
Defense counsel Afamasaga Michael Soonalole said his client did consider pleading guilty to rape charges if the incest charges were removed however, his instructions this morning were that his client does not recall doing some of the things alleged.
“He said that he can’t recall some of the incidents listed in the charges”.
Su’a-Mailo says the plea bargain is now off the table and the defendant will face all 158 charges.
The man who has been granted name suppression to protect the alleged victim who is his own daughter.
The Court has set the hearing for an Assessor Trial in September 2020.
The accused seeks bail again and insists that he is the only caretaker for his wife who has a disability.
“E iai aafiaga tumau o lona soifua.”
The Supreme Court has granted a bail hearing for the accused and defense counsel has been asked to file bail applications by this Friday.
Prosecution strongly opposes bail because the accused has other daughters at home.
