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Trial begins in case vs hotel burglary suspect
A jury trial began yesterday in Superior Court in the case against Kyle K. Cabael, who was part of a group that allegedly burglarized and stole some money and items from one of the rooms at Monte Vista Hotel and Restaurant.
Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho is presiding over the trial. Assistant attorneys general James McAllister and Clayton Graef are prosecuting the case.
Veteran lawyer Colin Thompson is counsel for Cabael, who is facing burglary, theft, and conspiracy charges. Rep. Christopher Leon Guerrero, who is a former police officer, is the defense’s private investigator.
When Saipan Tribune left the courtroom yesterday afternoon, Thompson was still questioning the government’s second witness.
Kevin Muña, another defendant in this case, has already pleaded guilty and turned government witness. He is expected to testify at Cabael’s trial.
Last month, Camacho dismissed without prejudice the case against a third defendant, Vicente Terlaje, who was accused of possessing methamphetamine or “ice.”
Camacho dismissed the case against Terlaje after the Office of the Attorney General moved to drop the charge of illegal possession of a controlled substance. Dismissal without prejudice means the OAG can re-file the case in the future.
McAllister made an oral motion to dismiss the case against the 35-year-old Terlaje based on the fact that the government got a new police report that warrants the dismissal.
According to the first amended information, on Feb. 19, 2014 on Saipan, Terlaje knowingly possessed “ice.”
Attorney Jennifer Dockter, counsel for Terlaje, has moved to suppress evidence, citing that nothing supports a warrant for the search of drugs at Cabael’s residence.
Police said that cash and several items were stolen from one of the rooms at Monte Vista Hotel and Restaurant during the Feb. 17, 2014, burglary.
A surveillance camera at a store reportedly led to the arrest and filing of charges against Cabael and his co-defendants.
