American Samoa prosecutor to seek death penalty if man is convicted of killing police officer

Samoa prosecutor to seek death penalty in shooting

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa — The prosecution plans to seek the death penalty if a man accused of killing a police officer in American Samoa is convicted of first-degree murder.

The U.S. territory hasn’t witnessed an execution in more than 50 years.

Siaumau Siaumau Jr. pleaded not guilty to the charge for the July 22 fatal shooting of detective Lt. Liusila Brown outside the temporary High Court building.

Assistant Attorney General Mitzie Jessop Folau has told the court there are sufficient aggravating circumstances to justify the imposition of the death penalty if Siaumau is convicted.

Siaumau’s defense attorney, Public Defender Ruth Risch Fuatagavi, had no comment.