Summary
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In his plea in mitigation, the accused expressed remorsefulness for what he has done. He also expressed remorsefulness to the probation service. He is very worried and concerned about the outcome of this case. The family of the accused has also performed a traditional apology (ifoga) to the father of the victim and was accepted. This was confirmed to the Court by the father of the victim. The accused’s family has also presented one cattle beast, two large pigs, thirty boxes of tinned fish as well as breakfast and lunch for the village as penalty for the offence committed by the accused. All of this was accepted by the village. Thus this matter has been settled in accordance with Samoan custom not only between the family of the accused and the family of the victim but also between the family of the accused and the village. This is all part of what is now commonly referred to as ‘restorative justice’ even though for very many years it has been the customary way Samoans penalise offences committed within a village and settle any possible enmity or friction that may arise between the family of an accused and the family of a victim. (excerpt)
Link: www.paclii.org/ws/cases/WSSC/2005/13.html
6546
