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Suspect in Strange stabbing charged
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Posted on May 17 1999
An auto-mechanic is facing charges of assault and battery, aggravated assault and assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in the stabbing incident last Sunday in Chalan Piao.
Contract worker Norberto J. Simpas, a Filipino, was arrested Thursday afternoon by police operatives and was ordered by the Superior Court to post a bail of $16,000 for his temporary release. He was likewise ordered to submit his travel documents.
In his first court appearance last Friday, Simpas was accompanied by friends from the church and appeared pious. However, he admitted his participation in an argument with Ernest Strange during the wee hours last Sunday morning at the parking lot of Joeten Chalan Piao, according to his statements to police investigators.
Likewise, he admitted that he owned the screwdriver, which the police identified as the weapon use to stab Strange, owner of Club Jama.
Simpas, however, denied stabbing the victim.
According to government lawyer Barry Hirshbein, for now the Simpas faces three charges but the results of the investigation may present another case against the suspect.
Strange sustained deep wounds and has to undergo an artery repair in his left knee after he was attacked by two men at the parking lot of Joeten Chalan Piao. He was later airlifted to Guam for further medical attention.
Simpas was rounded up by police officers while at work through the help of witnesses. Strange owns Club Jama and was dropping off a number of dancers at Chalan Piao last Sunday. Sources said Simpas was recognized by some of the dancers.
The Department of Public Safety has also identified Edgar V. Jamison, as the other suspect for the same crime who remains at large as of press time.
Based on a police report, two unidentified men attacked Strange, used his van as a getaway vehicle and fled with a laptop computer and $4,000 in cash. The vehicle was later found abandoned.
