The world renowned Samoan writer and poet who is charged with the murder of Professor Caroline Sinavaiana Gabbard told the court yesterday that the devil made her do it.
Sia Figiel said during her second court appearance that she wanted this to end and let the deceased rest in peace.
Samoa Observer reports Figiel asked the court if she could speak directly to the judge, and said she did not want to be represented by an attorney.
She expressed her condolences to the family of Professor Gabbard, who she said was a dear friend of hers who helped her with her writing at university.
Supreme Court Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma tried to stop Figiel at this point, but she insisted she was almost finished and this was the only time she would talk.
She said she had lost her strength and the devil had taken over her on the afternoon of the incident.
“When it was finished, it whispered to me saying Sia go commit suicide, run now, there is no use for you to live on.”
The judge tried to intervene, but Figiel continued saying she apologized to her lawyer who tried to make an earlier application to gag media publications regarding her.
She said, as a writer, she would not allow this and everyone was equal in the eyes of the law and writers were no exception.
“However, Honorable Judge, the Police Commissioner told the newspaper I used a knife, I did not use a knife.”
At this point, Justice Roma stopped Figiel from continuing and reminded her that she was given a rare opportunity to speak.
He told the defendant tthre are processes to go through in the event she does not want to be represented by a lawyer.
She was also told that the court would not take note of her comments in the courtroom.
Justice Roma said the allegations against the defendant were serious and he adjourned the matter to next Monday to allow Figiel’s attorney to discuss matters with her client.
The defendant questioned why the further adjournment when she witnessed what happened.
She said she wanted the victim’s soul to rest and not wander around, and she also wanted to be taken to the desert.
Justice Roma repeated that the matter has been adjourned until next week, and Figiel responded that she will not turn up to court.
The prosecution has finalized charges against Figiel, and she is yet to enter a plea.
