Former NFL star and American Samoa cabinet member Jonathan Fanene has waived his rights to a preliminary examination in the District Court and his case has now moved to the High Court.
Jonathan Fanene has been fired by American Samoa's acting governor. He faces several charges of domestic assault. Photo: RNZ / Fili Sagapolutele
Fanene, sacked as Director of Youth and Women Affairs, is facing 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.
Yesterday, Fanene's attorney told District Court Judge Elvis Patea that his client had waived his rights to a preliminary examination.
The judge asked Fanene, if he understood that he had a right to a hearing to examine if there was sufficient evidence to prove the charges against him and whether he had been forced into the waiver and the defendant said he understood and had not been coerced in any way.
Judge Patea announced that the defendant had voluntarily and intelligently waived his rights and his case was bound over to the High Court.
He will be arraigned tomorrow.
Fanene was released on bail of $US100,000 last week and ordered to sign in with his attorney twice a week in lieu of surrendering his passport, which he said he could not find.