01 September 2026 Mulinuu Courthouse, Apia Samoa. A woman who wrote a letter to the Police Commissioner copying the Head of State with serious allegations against Samoa’s first woman Prime Minister, Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa, has changed her stance mid-trial, and pleaded guilty to 9 charges of misleading police, and one charge of conspiracy to defeat the course of justice.
Lise-Marie Schmidt had originally faced 19 charges. 9 of misleading police, 9 of fabricating evidence, and one count of conspiracy to defeat the course of justice.
In her letter to Police which she now says were all lies, Lise Marie Schmidt alleged Fiame Naomi Mataafa was a co-conspirator in the horrific murder of Dr Caroline Sinavaiana-Gabbard who was found dead at Papalii’s GaluMoana Theater at Vaivase-uta, on Sunday 26 May 2024.
Author Papalii Sia Figiel was found guilty if murder, however, before the Court handed down her sentence, the renowned author took her own life in her cell at Tanumalala prison.
Lise Marie had originally pleaded not guilty to all charges, and stuck to her story that Fiame had met with her and instructed her to hide evidence linked to the murder of Dr Caroline Sinavaiana-Gabbard.
Lise Marie’s guilty plea means she also lied to Police that she was in possession of Dr Caroline’s phone, which she had claimed contained evidence that placed Samoa’s then Prime Minister as a co-conspirator of the murder.
Court Case
Lise Marie Schmidt’s trial began on Monday this week in the District Court of Samoa before Judge Papalii Alalatoa Rosella Papalii.
Prosecution had listed 36 witnesses including Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa, who has suffered severe online abuse and reputational damage due to Lise Marie’s allegations that she was involved in the murder of Dr Caroline Sinavaiana-Gabbard.
Papalii Sia Figiel was found guilty in August 2025 for the death of Dr Caroline after the Court heard the horrific details of the brutal murder that took place at Papalii’s GaluMoana Theater at Vaivase-tai in May 2024.
Lise Marie’s hearing was scheduled for this whole week, and on the first day, Prosecution presented the same witnesses who had also testified during the Figiel murder trial.
However, on the second day of the trial, lawyers requested closed door discussions in the Judge’s chambers.
When Court resumed on Tuesday afternoon, defense counsel Mapusua Tanya Toalioa asked the Court to vacate her client’s not guilty pleas to the 9 counts of misleading police. She then pleaded guilty to all charges of misleading police.
In what appears to have been a plea bargain, Prosecution accepted Lise Marie’s guilty pleas, but then withdrew the 9 charges of fabricating evidence which were all closely linked.
Prosecutor Magele Su’a Leone Su’a-Mailo then asked for an adjournment to consider whether or not to proceed with the final charge of conspiracy to defeat the course of justice.
When the matter was called this afternoon, Wednesday 2nd September, Prosecutor Su’a Magele Leone informed Judge Alalatoa Rosella Papalii that they wished to proceed with the one remaining charge, but amended it to “attempt to pervert the course of justice.”
However, defense counsel Maposua Tanya Toailoa then stood up and told the Court her client wished to accept the amended charge.
“Your honor, defense would like to make an application to vacate a not guilty plea to guilty on the charge,” said Maposua.
Her Honour Judge Papalii Rosella granted the application and adjourned the matter for sentencing next year 16 March 2027.
She also ordered the defendant to refrain from making comments towards the complainant on social media.
Outline of Lise Marie’s Misleading of Police
Lise Marie Schmidt’s false statements and lies not only affected Fiame Naomi Mataafa as a senior politician and public figure, but also a matter of national security, as Fiame held the position of Prime Minister of Samoa.
Lise claimed that Fiame had instructed her to take possession of Gabbard’s phone and tablet, and keep them secure.
She lied and said she had examined Gabbard’s phone and found photographs and a video relating to Gabbard and Sia Figiel; and that a recording captured a telephone conversation between Figiel and Fiame.
Other statements covered by the guilty pleas included Schmidt’s claims that Fiame sought to conceal Gabbard’s devices from Police, and allegations concerning subsequent communications and meetings with Fiame at Taumeasina Island Resort.
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