Charges filed vs man who allegedly slashed car’s tires, stabbed witness

Probable cause has been found to warrant the filing of charges against Manuel Daniel Sablan Jr., a customer at a Garapan bar who allegedly slashed the tires of a car that was parked outside the establishment, then stabbed the man who witnessed the incident.

After listening to the testimony of a police detective and a police officer and the arguments of counsel at a preliminary hearing yesterday, Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho found probable cause for the charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, criminal mischief, and disturbing the peace.

After finding that aggravated assault and battery merged with assault with a dangerous weapon, the judge dismissed the former charge without prejudice.

The Office of the Attorney General can file a motion to add the charge of aggravated assault and battery based on further investigation.

At the hearing, Camacho asked assistant attorney general Heather Barcinas which theory the government is proceeding under the assault with a dangerous weapon: purposely causing bodily injury, attempting to cause bodily injury, or purposely causing bodily injury. Barcinas replied that they are proceeding under the theory of purposely causing bodily injury.

Camacho then ruled that since aggravated assault and battery is basically when a person purposely causes bodily injury, then aggravated assault and battery merges into the charge of assault with a dangerous weapon.

Barcinas asked the court to allow the government to do more research on the matter and file a motion.

Attorney David Banes, counsel for Sablan, did not argue on Camacho’s ruling on the merging issue.

Sablan’s arraignment will be on Oct. 6.

At the hearing, Barcinas called to the witness stand police officer Myron Laniyo and police detective Francisco O. Iginoef, who basically told the court about their investigation that led to Sablan’s arrest.

Barcinas asked, among other things, how the knife used in stabbing Jesse Billy Mailuw was recovered at the scene.

Iginoef replied that they found the stainless knife through the trails of blood at the scene.

Mailuw was taken to the hospital. His wound on the right chest just above the right lung reportedly required eight stitches.

Iginoef also stated that Sablan punctured two tires of a car that was parked at True North Bar & Grill. He said the total cost to replace the tires was $80.

Banes asked Iginoef if fingerprints were taken from the alleged weapon. The detective said he’s not aware if fingerprints were taken.

According to Iginoef’s report, two police officers responded to a stabbing incident at the True North Bar & Grill last Sept. 21 at 3:47am.

True North owner, former Department of Public Safety deputy commissioner Ambrosio Ogumoro, met them and told them that a man was bleeding and needed medical attention.

The bloodied Mailuw approached one officer and stated he had been stabbed.

Mailuw was outside his work place at Minimax Dive Shop, just north of True North, when he saw Sablan stabbing with a knife the tires of a Toyota T 100 parked on the northern parking lot of the bar.

Mailuw yelled at Sablan, who then allegedly approached and stabbed him.

The victim later identified Sablan, who was aboard a car that was still parked at the bar’s parking lot.