CHIEFS SENTENCED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20519, 21 March 1930, Page 12

CHIEFS SENTENCED.

SAMOAN PROSECUTIONS.

THREAT TO WITNESSES.

TERM OF IMPRISONMENT.

INJURY TO A CONSTABLE.

[by radio.—press association.]

APIA, March .19.

The four chiefs Namulanula, Leleua, Autagavai'a, and Alipia appeared before Chief Judge Luxford for sentence to-day. For firstly sending a letter containing a threat to kill to Lagolago and Ainu'u Tasi and secondly conspiring and attempting to pervert, obstruct and defeat the course of justice in the case of 0. F. Nelson versus Wilson and Horton, Limited, since discontinued, they were each convicted and sentenced to 17 months imprisonment ■on each charge, the sentences to be concurrent.

A "wanted" Samoan, Tupuivao, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for assault on Constable Peterson in January of last year at Magiagi. . "When Peterson tried to arrest him Tupuivao, who was running from the constable, struck a back-hand blow with a long knife, causing a deep wound in the constable's head, necessitating a fortnight in hospital and absence from duty for seven weeks.

A report of the proceedings in the case of the four chiefs charged with sending a letter containing a threat to kill appeared in the Herald yesterday. The letter in question was sent to certain witnesses for the defence in the civil action mentioned. Following _ the hearing the Judge reserved his decision.

THE DEATH 0E MOLIA.

COURT ACQUITS RICKETTS.

JUSTIFIED IN FIRING.

[BY BADIO. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

APIA, March 19.

Lance-Corporal Ricketts was acquitted to-day by a. Court of four assessors of manslaughter relative to the death of j the Samoan Molia, who was shot by Ricketts during an affray with the police on January 22 and died on January 27 in the Apia Hospital. The Court's finding was that Ricketts was justified in firing at Molia for protection, believing his life was in danger.

The Samoa Act provides for the Court sitting with four assessors in all cases where an accused person has pleaded not guilty to an offence punishable by death or by imprisonment for more than five years. No person can be convicted unless the conviction is concurred in by not less than three assessors, and if tho Court is of opinion that the accused should not be convicted, and if less than three of the assessors concur in his conviction the accused shall be acquitted.