By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 23 June 2025: District Court Judge Talasa Atoa Saaga has called Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi’s verbal attack on defense counsel KC Richard Marchant  “undeserving”.

Leala was giving evidence today and has been called a “liar” by Marchant during cross examination.

Leala reacted and asked Marchant how he would feel if he called him a “white trash.” He then said “toe fa’afoi uma atu au tala ma fafao i lou gutu.”. [Translation] – “Return your words and glut them in our mouth.”

Judge Saaga called for a 5 minute recess and asked the Prosecutor Leinafo Taimalelagi Strickland to speak to her witness.

When the court resumed, Lealailepule apologised and said the words were “uncalled for”.

“I apologise and the statement I made, I take it back,” said Leala.

“It is the obligation of the defense to ask questions to you because it is your  case and how you answer can assist the court,” said Judge Talasa.

“What you did was undeserving,” said the Judge.

Marchant accepted the apology and ended his cross-examination.