Taualai Leiloa

Man who admitted conspiracy to kill Samoan PM to change plea

Taualai Leiloa, of Laulii and Magiagi villages, through his lawyer told the court that he wants to change to a not guilty plea.

The defense counsel has not yet filed an application for change of plea. Nor has the prosecution responded yet.

The accused was scheduled to be sentenced last week but the acting chief justice, Vui Clarence Nelson, has ordered Taualai to engage a lawyer to represent him before passing sentence.

The matter will be called again next Friday.

Man pleads guilty to conspiring to assassinate Samoa PM

Taualai Leiloa, Malele Atofu Paulo and Lema'i Faioso Sione appeared in court together for the first time today.

Leiloa, from Laulii village, is accused of conspiring to commit murder with Talalelei Pauga, who resides in Australia, to assassinate Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.

Police claim this is related to a time period between April and August this year.

Leiloa, who pleaded guilty, will be sentenced on the 30 September but a hearing date for Mr Paulo, also known as King Faipopo, and Mr Sione has yet to be confirmed.