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Trader in arson case wants new trial
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Posted on Mar 08 2012
The owner of a clothing store in Garapan that went up in flames in 2010 wants a new trial in its lawsuit against an insurance company that refused to pay the insurance claims after establishing that the blaze was intentionally set off.
Zhen Rui Brother Corp., through counsel Ramon K. Quichocho, asked the U.S. District Court for the NMI to hold a new trial in its lawsuit against FirstNet Insurance Co.
Zhen Rui Brother Corp. is the owner of BL Clothing Store that was engulfed in fire on Oct. 30, 2010.
Quichocho said a court security officer breached the bailiff’s oath by allowing another court security officer to take charge of the jury and to communicate with the jury.
Quichoco also argued that the verdict was contrary to the weight of the evidence and supports the claim of Zhen Rui Brother Corp. for a new trial.
“In this case, there is no evidence presented by anybody that Zhen Rui Brother Corp. or Mr. Zheng Biao had a motive to set the Oct. 30, 2010 fire, nor that Zhen Rui Brother Corp. through its agents either set the fire or had it set,” the lawyer said.
Last month, a federal jury found that on Oct. 30, 2010, either Zhen Rui Brother Corp. intentionally caused the fire at BL Clothing Store or someone with the permission of the corporation intentionally caused the blaze.
The jury also found that Zhen Rui Brother Corp. intentionally overstated to FirstNet the actual cash value of its loss in the fire.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona discharged FirstNet Insurance Co. from any obligation to Zhen Rui Brother Corp.
