12 Jul 2011

American Samoan chief jailed for attack

8:14 pm on 12 July 2011

An American Samoa chief, Simeti Lualemaga, has been jailed for five years by a Honolulu court.

Last year Lualemaga attacked federal employee, Mark Cunningham, near the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Mr Cunningham lost part of his ear in the attack.

Defence lawyer, Alexander Silvert, says Lualemaga could have been jailed for more than 15 years on the charges but the court took into account that the attack was out of character and that he'd served with the US military in Vietnam.