Previous Story
Trial on fatal parking lot mauling begins
|
Posted on Apr 05 2005
The jury trial on the criminal charges against a Filipino worker who allegedly mauled and killed a painter at a hotel parking lot sometime last year began yesterday, with the defense and prosecution panels presenting the testimonies of one witness each.
Edgardo Palma is facing charges in the death of Luciano Ortiz, who died after sustaining serious injuries in a mauling incident at the parking lot of the Dai-Ichi Hotel Saipan Beach last Aug. 13.
The charges against Palma include voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and battery, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.
Palma and Ortiz figured in a fight at the hotel’s parking, during which Ortiz became unconscious. Ortiz succumbed to death after days of confinement at the hotel’s intensive care unit, where he was hooked to a life-support system. Ortiz reportedly sustained a fractured skull.
CNMI chief prosecutor David Hutton and assistant public defender Charlotte Tenorio presented the arguments for the prosecution and the defense, respectively.
Hutton said he allowed the defense to present a witness first, a certain Virginia, who has been scheduled to leave the CNMI. Afterwards, the prosecution presented the testimony of its first witness, Imelda Ramos.
