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An Oahu grand jury returned an indictment Thursday charging an 18-year-old Kahaluu man with killing his uncle, a former professional rugby player and former New Zealand police officer, and threatening his brother.
Samuela Mataele was charged with second-degree murder, first-degree terroristic threatening and three offenses related to drugs, firearms and ammunition.
According to court documents, Mataele’s 36-year-old brother, Leland, said he was sleeping in their Kahaluu home Sunday when he was awakened by a gunshot.
Leland Mataele said he saw his brother holding a rifle, and when he asked his brother what he was doing, his brother said, "I’m going to kill you."
While Samuela Mataele was reloading the rifle, Leland Mataele said he ran out of the house.
On the way out, he saw their uncle, Tongan-born Joshua Siosiua Tuiono Liava’a, with a gunshot wound in his head. Liava’a is a former Auckland police officer who lived with the Mataele family.
Police said Samuela Mataele also stole a wallet belonging to a 17-year-old boy.
Samuela Mataele remains in custody at Oahu Community Correctional Center unable to post bail of $250,000.