12 July 2019, Apia Samoa. 37 year old Samoan rapper “Zipso” also known as Sipili Nanai of Falelatai and Solosolo was sentenced to 2 years and 7 months by Justice Mata Tuatagaloa for causing grievous bodily harm to his neighbor last year.
He assaulted his neighbor with a machete at Solosolo. His neighbour was hospitalised for 4 days, suffering a laceration on the head and lost two fingers as a result of the incident.
Zipso was initially charged with attempted murder.
The victim impact report stated that since the incident he was not able to do his everyday chores because of his missing fingers.
“Ua le tutusa le malosi mo le fa’atautaiaina o ona tiute ma ana galuega e fai.”
Justice Tuatagaloa said that the Court imposes custodial sentences to deter people from violence using weapons such as machetes.
She said that a custodial sentence is appropriate for such offense.
“E tiga na avatu faasalaga a le faamasinoga i le faaaogaina o mea nei o aupega aemaise lava sapelu, e tuu atu faasalaga faafalepuipui ina ia tau taofiofi mai ai ma avatu se feau i le atunuu poo outou i le tulaga lea o le faaaogaina o le sapelu poo ni aupega e faatautaia ai mea nei o faaoogalima.”
She also accepted a recommendation by Prosecution for a 5 year starting point given the seriousness of the offense as well as the injuries sustained by the victim where he had lost two of his fingers.
In sentencing Zipso she deducted 12 months for his prevous good character and for being a first offender. 6 months was deducted for his apology to the victim as well as his remorse and 11 months for his early guilty plea.
He was convicted and sentenced to 2 years and 7 months.
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