Kosraean man found dead

Relatives are grieving the death of a 25-year-old Kosraean male, who was found apparently battered to death early Saturday morning near his residence in Kannat Tabla.

Victim Welly Tosie was found by police at around 7:41am sprawled on the roadway in front of the BiF Tong Yang Carpet warehouse in a pool of his own blood.

According to Department of Public Safety spokesperson Cecil Seles, police immediately checked the victim’s pulse and breathing upon arrival at the crime scene, but detected no sign of life.

When Mr. Tosie was transported to the Commonwealth Health Center for examination, findings revealed that he suffered extensive injuries on the head and facial areas. He was pronounced dead on arrival.

Later that day, a 21-year-old Chamorro male confessed to the murder of Mr. Tosie.

The suspect, Steven R. Aguon was then arrested by DPS, who was only one among several people brought to the Criminal Investigation Bureau office for questioning.

In surrendering, Mr. Aguon requested to talk to Major Delbert Sablan, claiming that he had personal knowledge as to who killed the Kosraean man.

The suspect, who now faces criminal charges before the Superior Court, admitted to the DPS major that he fought with the victim in front of the carpet warehouse early that morning.

The defendant said he only tried to protect himself from the victim’s attacks by grabbing the baseball bat which Mr. Tosie held. He claimed he counterstruck the victim using the weapon, twice on the head.

According to Mr. Aguon’s testimony, the victim also threw a rock at him which then prompted him to grab the baseball bat to take another swing at Mr. Tosie’s head for the second time.

It was after the second blow that the victim fell to the ground, according to Mr. Aguon.

He added that he continued to hit the victim’s head and stomach with the baseball bat. After that, the defendant walked home and threw the baseball bat into the woods. The object has been recovered by police for evidence.

When the defendant was arrested, he pled authorities to admit him to the CHC psychiatric ward for an evaluation.

The victim’s sister, Julia Joe with other family members, appeared in court yesterday for the suspect’s bail hearing.

Asst. Attorney General Kevin Lynch recommended to the court a $10,000 cash bail for the defendant’s temporary release.

According to Ms. Joe, the cash bail is very low for the magnitude of the crime Mr. Aguon had committed. She also noted that it was not the first time the suspect committed physical attacks against her younger brother.

Three months ago, Mr. Aguon allegedly tried to hit Mr. Tosie with a craw bar. “My brother is not a trouble maker. He would never provoke a fight,” said the teary-eyed sister.

The suspect and the victim apparently used to hang out with the same circle of friends.