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Prosecution gives immunity to witness in Jackson trial
The prosecution called yesterday five more witnesses in the ongoing retrial of Michael Anthony Jackson, a 38-year-old man who is facing charges of kidnapping and raping a then-15-year-old girl in 2010 on Saipan.
The jury trial will continue this morning, Thursday. The victim is expected to testify.
Among the government’s witnesses yesterday was Ashiqur Rahaman, also known as Simon Kosam.
Rahaman is an ex-convict who has a pending two counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree case for allegedly engaging in sex with his 15-year-old girlfriend twice.
In 2015, Rahaman pleaded guilty to assault and battery.
Assistant attorney general Shannon R. Foley, counsel for the government, signed yesterday an immunity agreement with Rahaman and his court-appointed counsel, Jennifer Dockter, so he could testify against Jackson.
Rahaman is a relative of the alleged victim. He was with the alleged victim prior to her allegedly being kidnapped and raped by Jackson.
Without objection from defense counsel Charles P. Reyes Jr., Associate Judge Joseph Camacho, who is presiding over the trial, granted the immunity agreement.
Under the immunity agreement, the government and Rahaman agree that in exchange for his testimony in the Jackson trial, the testimony will not be used against him (Rahaman) in any criminal case.
Assistant attorney general Betsy Weintraub is the chief prosecutor in the Jackson case.
Police said the girl had just come from an Internet café and was walking along Tun Joaquin Doi Road in Finasisu on her way home on Oct. 9, 2010, at about 1am when Jackson forced her into his car, brought her to an open field at the Saipan Airport, and raped her inside his vehicle.
The girl later managed to run away, police said.
