Jury finds Repeki guilty of murder

Jurors decided in favor of the prosecution yesterday when they found Eugene Repeki, Jr. guilty of murder in the second degree in connection with the brutal killing of a 40-year-old security guard last May 4, 1999.

Mr. Repeki, 21, is only one of three suspects facing trial for the manslaughter and aggravated assault of Filipino worker Cesario B. Valerio. His alleged co-conspirators, Anthony Magofna and Thomas Basa, stand to undergo the same trial next year.

Defense counsel Danny Aguilar said his client was disappointed over the jury verdict and is contemplating on other legal options before his sentencing on Feb. 8, 2001.

Meanwhile, the prosecution panel triumphed over the jury’s decision, stressing that all crimes committed against people should never go unpunished.

“This kind of behavior can not be tolerated and I want to state it clear that the Attorney General’s Office is going to prosecute not only these types of crimes but any type of crime to the fullest extent of the law,” said government prosecutor Keith Cable.

Mr. Cable also commended Department of Public Safety case agent Mark Taisacan for facilitating the complete investigation of Mr. Valerio’s case.

“I am very pleased with the outcome. I hope this sends as a message to the community that we are not pushovers and we will do what we can to ensure that these crimes are prosecuted,” the government prosecutor said.

The prosecution now leaves Mr. Repeki’s fate to the Superior Court judge which will be revealed during next year’s sentencing.

The murder victim was a security guard on duty at Courtney’s Plaza Commercial Bldg. in Chalan Kanoa when he was attacked by three men on May 4, 1999 at around 12:59 am.

During the past four days, defense and prosecution panels presented their opening and closing arguments before a seven-member jury, as well as presented before the Superior Court pieces of evidence crucial to the murder case.

The prosecution had described the victim’s death as “senseless,” pinning down Mr. Repeki as the perpetrator of the killing.

Mr. Basa and Mr. Magofna, who issued testimonies against the suspect on trial, gave credence to accusations that Mr. Repeki is guilty of “viciously and brutally” murdering Mr. Valerio, said Mr. Cable.

This, according to the prosecution, only bolstered the allegations made against Mr. Repeki.

But the defense had argued the two other suspects’ testimony were “self-serving” in efforts to clear their names before they get tried for the same charges next year.

Mr. Aguilar maintains that his client performed an act of self-defense against the late Mr. Valerio, who carried with him a pair of sewing scissors during a fight between him, Mr. Basa and Mr. Magofna.