Public prosecutors say they will fight an appeal by a former Highlander and Manu Samoa head coach, following his recent conviction for multiple sex offences.
Mahroni Schwalger was charged in September 2024 with unlawful sexual connection, attempted sexual violation, sexual conduct with a person under 16, indecent assault, and common assault.
Local media reported on May 19 that Samoa's Supreme Court found Schwalger guilty of eight out of the 11 charges against him, involving two teenage victims. He was released on bail.
Schwalger played 17 matches for the Highlanders across two stints with the team, in 2005 and 2011.
He also played for the Hurricanes and Chiefs, and remained as head coach of Manu Samoa until the end of 2024.
He was initially suspended by Lakapi Samoa (the Samoa Rugby Union), before resigning from his position on January 6, 2025, while investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct were under way.
The head of Samoa's Ministry of Justice and Courts, John Papalii, told RNZ Pacific that in the Supreme Court on Monday, Schwalger's lawyer lodged three motions to appeal his conviction.
Defence counsel Leinafo Strickland sought a stay on the former coach's sentencing, due on June 5, until the matter could be heard in the Court of Appeal.
However, the court heard that the Court of Appeal's workload meant that it was unlikely to be able to review the matter until October.
Meanwhile, Prosecutor Leone Sua-Mailo told the court that they intend to oppose all three applications filed by the defence.
Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma adjourned the matter to June 5 to give lawyers time to respond.
This story was first published on rnz.co.nz |  |
