Justice Vui Clarence Nelson, of the Supreme Court, yesterday adjourned the sentencing of 24-yearold man who threw hot water on his adopted sister in January last year.
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It follows questions about his mental health raised during the proceedings.
The accused man, Talalelei Fa’aulufalega, was initially charged with murder. But when the prosecution amended the charge to manslaughter, he pleaded guilty.
He was represented in court by his lawyer, Lei’ataua Jerry Brunt.
Prosecuting lawyer Rexona Titi, of the Attorney General’s Office.
She argued against the Probation Officer’s report for the defendant. She told the court he did not suffer a mental disorder.
That he only suffered from depression after the girl’s death.
A mental assessment conducted by Dr. Ian Parkins of the Mental Unit could not find anything out of the ordinary about him, she said.
She added that he did suffer from headaches, which was the main cause behind his leaving school for good. This condition caused him to be short tempered and easily angered, she said.
It was this condition that his family in their statements to Police referred to as his having a mental problem.
His Honour interfered telling Ms. Titi that he would not be relying heavily on the Probation office’s report regarding the defendant’s mental state because they were not medical experts.
But he already had the expert Dr. Parkins report to base his decision upon regarding Fa’aulufalega’s mental state.
Leitaualesa in his submission said his client suffered from seizures now and then.
He added that his client was a man of good character who displayed unusual behaviour that resulted in the offending.
He asked for a noncustodial sentence for his client claiming that he was sorry for the offence and wished he could take what happened back.
His Honour after considering the submissions said there were matters that he needed to consider before passing a decision.
The 10-year-old victim was never admitted to the hospital for any formal medical treatment.
Instead, her family sought the help of a taulasea (traditional healer).
A week later, she died.
The matter has been adjourned until 30 March for sentencing.
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