Previous Story
Man who allegedly impregnated minor gets more time to contact DNA expert
|
Posted on Oct 03 2011
By Ferdie de la Torre
Reporter
Reporter
A Guam resident who is facing charges in federal court for allegedly impregnating a female minor on Rota has been given more time to contact a DNA expert.
In an order issued Friday, U.S. District Court for the NMI designated judge Frances M. Tydingco-Gatewood granted Melvin David Diaz’s request and set the case for another status hearing today, Oct. 3.
Tydingco-Gatewood said that Diaz, through counsel, had informed the court that he was still trying to contact this DNA expert. Diaz said the contact with the expert will determine the expert’s readiness to testify at trial.
Tydingco-Gatewood said that going ahead with the trial without the benefit of this expert would likely result in a miscarriage of justice.
The 49-year-old Diaz is charged with three counts of enticement of a minor and one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
According to the indictment, Diaz traveled to the CNMI between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30, 2010, for the purpose of engaging in illicit sex with the minor.
