A former American Samoa cabinet member and NFL star has pled not guilty to 13 charges related to a domestic violence incident.
Jonathan Fanene pled not guilty the High Court yesterday and he was arraigned before Associate Justice Fiti Sunia and Chief Associate Judge Mamea Sala Jr.
Jonathan Fanene has been fired by American Samoa's acting governor. He faces several charges of domestic assault. Photo: RNZ / Fili Sagapolutele
His attorney Marcellus Tala Uiagalelei said his client was waiving the reading of the charges and pleading not guilty.
Justice Sunia set 25 July as date for Fanene's pre trial conference.
The defendant remains out on bond of $US100,000.
Fanene, played for the Cincinati Bengals and was director of the Department of Youth And Women Affairs before he was sacked.
He faces eight felony charges and five misdemeanour counts for allegedly assaulting his wife and sister, holding his wife against her will and for possession of unlicensed and prohibited firearms.