Evidence, Witness Statements Support Manslaughter Plea
May 25, 2023
Oakland CA – The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office has decided to pursue manslaughter charges against Sam Veimau of Hayward, who shot and killed two brothers on High Street in Oakland on September 26, 2021.
The shooting incident, involving the two victims, Manase Mesui and Suiti Mesui, and defendant, Sam Ikinasio Veimau, happened on September 26, 2021. The factual investigation and evidence, conducted by Oakland Police Department, involved allegations of a family dispute that got out of control between family members. After several court proceedings and settlement negotiations over several months, including the consideration of the defense theory of a self-defense claim asserted by the defendant, the prosecution team for the Alameda District Attorney’s Office and the defendant’s attorney, representing the Public Defender’s Office, reached a negotiated plea of manslaughter in this case.
The prosecution team was very responsive throughout this case in notifying the victims’ family members and representatives of the procedural status and the settlement negotiations.
Pursuant to the terms of the negotiated plea, defendant, Sam Ikinasio Veimau, entered a plea of no contest to two felony counts of manslaughter under Penal Code Section 192(a) and admitted the use of a gun enhancement as to both counts under Penal Code Section 12022.5(a). The total sentencing exposure was 18 years in prison but, under the negotiated plea, the sentencing was agreed to run concurrently for a total of 9 years state prison.
## Contact: Public Information Officer Patti Lee, Patti.Lee@acgov.org // 628-249-1288