19 Jun 2006

American Samoan government considers new charges over film attack

8:35 am on 19 June 2006

The American Samoan government is considering filing additional charges against a man who assaulted the manager of the local cinema over a disagreement about the Da Vinci Code movie.

Makelani Roberts had initially been charged with public peace disturbance, which is a misdemeanor.

Witnesses said that on the night of June the 8th he choked the theatre manager, Vernon Roberts, after a heated argument over the movie.

Roberts was upset that the manager still planned on bringing the movie to American Samoa inspite of a petition by a church and community group to ban the movie.

The Assistant Attorney General, Mark Hales, had told the court last week that the goevernment did not intend to file additional charges.

However, he now says the government is now considering charging Roberts with assault.