FBI agent testifies
mom didn’t cry

Tufono Fale is charged
with second degree murder in
the beating death of her
2-1/2-year-old daughter

By Linda Hosek
Star-Bulletin

A former female soldier, who said her 2-1/2-year-old daughter died because she kicked her in the stomach and back, didn't cry when she told her husband what she did, according to an FBI agent.

Special Agent Paul G. Amoy said yesterday at Tufono Fale's murder trial that Fale seemed "sorrowful" with a look "a lot like she has now."

He said Fale asked for forgiveness from her husband, Mose, an army sergeant, who "tensed up, tears came to his eyes, and he started to clench his fists."

Amoy testified that he interviewed Fale Sept. 15, a day after the death of her daughter, Logise, who died from ruptured abdominal organs from blunt force.

"She stated that Logise died because (she) kicked her," he said.

The state has charged Fale, 24, with second-degree murder for her role in Logise's death, alleging that Fale tore open her daughter's small intestine with what appeared to be "stomps" and failed to seek care for her for hours.

Debra Loy, deputy public defender, said Fale kicked her daughter out of anger over laundry the child had scattered, but never intended to kill her.

She said Fale, who was sexually abused by an uncle, disciplined with a stick by her parents and beaten by her husband, suffered from extreme emotional distress and was guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

The federal government initially took the case because it occurred at Wheeler Army Air Field, where the Fales lived with their three children. Prosecutors Sept. 16 charged Fale with voluntary manslaughter, which carries up to 10 years in prison in the federal system.

But the state agreed to prosecute the case, boosting punishment to up to 20 years for manslaughter or up to life with parole for murder.

Amoy said Fale waived her constitutional rights, verbally described her role in Logise's death and prepared a written statement of the events.

"She was great," Amoy said of her cooperation. "She started (the statement) on her own."

Amoy also said Fale looked at photos of her dead child and said she caused bruises on the child's back from kicks and bruises on the child's right leg from slaps.

He said Fale said she wasn't wearing shoes when she kicked her daughter and had not consumed drugs or alcohol. Fale said her husband had seen her slap Logise in the past, he said.

Regarding the Sept. 14 incident, Amoy said Fale had said she "lost it," kicked Logise about 10 a.m. and had her sit for a period of time. He said Fale said she resumed her chores, but that Logise sat in the same spot for a while before she lay on a bed, picking at her hands.

He said Fale said she found Logise lifeless about 6 p.m. and called 911. Logise was transported to Wahiawa Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 7:35 p.m.

The trial before Circuit Judge Richard Perkins is expected to conclude next week.