"Arrogant, boastful and full of myself" [1]
Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 21:32. Updated on Thursday, April 21, 2016 - 13:41.
Utah gang member, Nitokalisi Fonua has asked for forgiveness from the families of his two victims during his sentencing by a Salt Lake City court last Saturday April 16. Nitokalisi was sentenced to 40 years’ imprisonment for the murder of Viliami Latu (34) in 2007 and Krystal Flores (22) in 2009.
According Utah media reports, before being sentenced Nitokalisi told family and friends of Viliami and Krystal in the court room that he had been “arrogant boastful and full of myself."
“There is nothing I have to offer to replace what was violently taken from you. All I have to offer is my words and my heart” he said.
Nitokalisi also apologized to his own family and said that he had a new found faith in Jesus.
Earlier this month, Nitokalisi admitted to shooting and killing Villaimi Latu and Krystal Flores in two separate instances. Nitokalisi revealed that he had shot Viliami Latu to settle a debt. According to the Utah Police, Nitokalisi was a member of a gang called the “Baby Regulators” and had shot Krystal Lopez after mistaking the house she was in for the home of a rival gang member.
Three other men, also of Tongan heritage, have also been charged in relation to the murder of Krystal Flores, and two are still awaiting their separate jury trials later this year. The men are Alexander Bloomfield (35), Pailate Lomu (26) and George Angilau (25). All men are alleged to be fellow gang associates of Nitokalisi.
Mele Latu, the mother of Viliami Latu accepted Nitokalisi’s apology in her victim's statement and told Nitokalisi, "I love you Nik. I want you to have a chance for your kids and your wife. I love you as my own. I mean it."
Estela Flores, the mother of Krystal Florez, said in her vitim’s statement. “"How can he ask me to forgive him when my daughter is gone? – I ask for more time. Not 40 years, but more time, because no one can return her to us."
Nitokalisi’s apology was also dismissed by Deputy Salt Lake City district attorney, Vince Meister. According to Meister, Nitoklisi’s apology was calculated in order to protect fellow members of his gangs. Meister stated, "I agree with Krystal's mother. Twenty years for one life is not enough. Forty years for two lives is not enough".