Ambrose Bennett arrested for domestic violence

Ambrose M. Bennett, a retired teacher and advocate for the legalization of marijuana in the CNMI, was arrested for domestic violence and taken to Superior Court yesterday for bail hearing.

Bennett, 64, was arrested for disturbing the peace, assault with a dangerous weapon, and criminal mischief.

Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio imposed a $6,500 cash bail and set the preliminary hearing for Sept. 2 at 9am.

Kim-Tenorio noted that there are three potential victims in the case: Bennett’s wife, her sister, and an infant. The judge also cited the seriousness of the charges as it involves a hammer or an ax.

Assistant public defender Tillman Clark was temporarily appointed as counsel for Bennett until such time it could be determined whether he is qualified or not for court-appointed counsel.

Bennett told the court that he currently works for Senate President Victor Hocog (Ind-Rota) as a consultant for legislative matters.

When asked what specific legislative matters, Bennett replied it’s for legalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth.

Police detective Vincent A. Igisaiar stated in his report that Bennett allegedly got mad on Sunday night when his wife told him that she was going back to her parents’ house in Gualo Rai to help take care of her sick father.

Bennett went out of their house in Kagman 3 and allegedly hit the hood of his sister-in-law’s car with a hammer. At the time, the sister-in-law was inside the car with her infant baby.

The wife shouted at Bennett. When he turned with his raised hand, she thought he was going to hit her with it. She ran inside the car and Bennett followed and allegedly hit the side of the vehicle with the hammer again.

When the wife’s sister came out of the car and shouted at Bennett, the latter returned to the house.

Bennett shouted at them to get out. The wife and her sister left the house.

The wife later called the Department of Public Safety and reported her husband attacked her with what she believed at the time was an ax.

Police responded and arrested Bennett at 9:15pm.

The wife said she came to the house with her sister to drop off clothes from the laundry. She said Bennett got mad when she told him she was not staying.

The wife told police that they are having marital issues, but it was the first time that Bennett “has exploded this much.”

She said she is staying in Gualo Rai because of her father’s health condition.