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Commutation hearing set for man in death of infant
The CNMI Board of Parole will conduct a hearing whether to support or not the commutation of the 60-year sentence slapped against a man who was convicted in 2002 for the death of his 6-month-old goddaughter.
In a public notice, Board of Parole chair Ramon B. Camacho said the commutation hearing will be held on Dec. 22 at 9am at the Pedro Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.
Camacho said the board will consider whether to support or object to the commutation of Reynaldo A. Manila’s sentence.
After the hearing, the board will vote whether to support or object to the issuance of a commutation of sentence by acting governor Ralph DLG. Torres.
Camacho said that people are welcome to make oral statements at the hearing. Those who want to submit written statements may drop their statements in person at the BOP office on Capital Hill before the start of the Dec. 22 hearing.
No other details were given for the hearing.
Saipan Tribune learned that Manila, who has been in prison since his arrest in 2000, is seriously ill.
Manila, a Filipino national, was 39 years old when then-Superior Court Associate Judge Virginia Sablan-Onerheim sentenced him in June 2002 to 60 years in prison for second-degree murder over the death of the infant. The baby’s parents were also Filipino nationals.
According to Manila’s lawyer, the defendant was babysitting the infant, who was his goddaughter, and that other than the defendant nobody was there when it happened. The counsel said no weapon was used, although there were testimonies about blunt force trauma and shaken baby syndrome.
Then-chief prosecutor Clyde Lemons noted that a physician testified that the baby had 11 bruises at the back of her head consistent with blunt force trauma or being hit with an object. Lemons said the doctor testified that the baby was shaken “very hard,” consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
The baby lingered in the hospital for several days before dying on Nov. 6, 2000.
A jury found Manila guilty of second-degree murder and child abuse.
At the sentencing, Manila insisted he did not kill the infant. He has a child in the Philippines.
