But there are no second chances
By Staff Reporter
Tuifa’asisina Perkin Headle with legal counsel, Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio
The woman accused by the FAST Political Party of harassing its members by way of electronic means is a free person.
This came after Her Honour, Papalii Rosella Papalii convicted Tuifa’asisina Perkin Headle and sentenced her to a three months suspended prison term.
This means Mrs Headle must not reoffend again within the conviction time frame or will be incarcerated for the remaining period of the suspended sentence.
Mrs Headle has been in Samoa for more than a year and is now free to travel again and rejoin her family In the US after the court ruling also ordered her travel documents released forthwith.
Since she was initially charged with 25 charges under the Crimes Act and one under the Police Offences Ordinance. Mrs Headle had to stay in Samoa and defend herself.
She was represented by Counsel Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio. The Prosecution was represented by Counsel Leinafo Taimalelagi-Strickland.
Following a defended hearing, all 25 charges filed under the Crimes Act were dismissed while the remaining charge under the Police Ordinance was upheld. That charge carries a maximum penalty of 3 months imprisonment or $200 fine.
The Prosecution filed an application to amend some of the charges that were dismissed with new charges under the Police Ordinance.
The Court, however, ruled in favour of Mrs Headle’s objections to the application.
Her application for discharge without conviction was denied by the Court with the ruling that a conviction next to her name is a natural consequence to a criminal offending.
In her sentencing remarks, Her Honour Papalii slammed the keyboard warriors and those living overseas, who dominate the social media platforms, by engaging in foul and abusive language online.