Appeal finds Samoa Land and Titles judge guilty in assault case -- expected to step down

[TexasTowelie]

Apia, SAMOA — Land and Titles Court Judge Fepulea’i Atilla Ropati is expected to step down from his position in the judiciary after a five-member Court of Appeal reversed the decision of a lower court and convicted him for hitting a man over the head with a bottle twice and punching him.

The decision from the appellate court was handed down late Monday afternoon.

Before the matter was taken to the court of appeals, it was heard in the District Court and Supreme Court numerous times.

Those proceedings ended in a discharge without conviction for Fepulea’i.

Read more: http://www.samoanews.com/regional/appeal-finds-samoa-land-and-titles-judge-guilty-assault-case-expected-step-down