A saga of corruption, conspiracy and cold-blooded killing is unfolding in a Samoan court in a startling contrast to the image of the South Pacific paradise immortalised by one of its most celebrated residents, Robert Louis Stevenson. Amid thunderclaps and deafening tropical downpours, the Supreme Court in Apia was told how a Government minister had been shot dead as part of an assassination plot hatched by two Cabinet colleagues. The Prime Minister and a judge were also among the targets, the court was told.
Song is almost ceaseless.
The trial of Leafa Vitale and Toi Aukuso began on Tuesday in a church sports hall, after the existing courthouse was deemed too small to cater for the public interest. Eletise has admitted carrying out the killing and is serving life in prison. Eletise's testimony against his father is likely to be the most compelling aspect of the prosecution case. You must listen to me and walk in my footsteps. Leafa Vitale told his son to first kill Luagalau and then murder a judge who had ruled against him in a recent court case.