Man in parking lot mauling dies

Luciano Ortiz, who sustained a skull fracture after being mauled by another in a fight allegedly over a woman—succumbed early yesterday morning after days of confinement at the Commonwealth Health Center.

The Attorney General’s Office said it is now thinking of elevating the charges against 38-year-old Edgardo Agno Palma, who was tagged as Ortiz’s assailant.

CNMI chief prosecutor David Hutton said Ortiz passed away at about 4am. Ortiz was confined at the hospital’s intensive care unit, where he was hooked to a life support system from the time he was brought to the CHC early Friday morning.

Hutton said investigation is still going on to look into the circumstances behind the heated altercation between Palma and Ortiz at the parking lot of the Dai-Ichi Hotel Saipan Beach early Friday morning.

“The charges [against Palma] will be elevated,” Hutton said, explaining that his office is still evaluating whether the circumstances behind the incident warrant a murder or manslaughter charge. While both crimes refer to the killing of a person, murder has the element of premeditation.

Before the victim’s death, the Superior Court had ruled that there was reason to believe that Palma probably committed the crimes of aggravated assault and battery and assault and battery. Associate Judge Kenneth Govendo imposed a $100,000 bail for the temporary release of the defendant.

At that time, the judge dismissed that probable cause exists to charge Palma with manslaughter.

Hutton said his office is preparing formal criminal charges against Palma, which would be filed in court possibly tomorrow.

According to police detective Juan M. Santos, Palma had admitted punching Ortiz, but the suspect refused to give further statements after being told of his constitutional rights.

In a sworn declaration earlier submitted in court, Santos cited doctors’ findings that “a blunt object was used to create the injury.” Ortiz sustained a fractured skull and was partly paralyzed.

Crime scene investigators had reportedly seized a metal pipe at the crime scene—a possible weapon that could have been used by the suspect in attacking the victim.

Police said that, before the incident, Ortiz was asking a woman who was aboard a car if she has a romantic relationship with the suspect. At that time, Palma was reportedly standing behind the victim. A heated altercation between Ortiz and Palma followed, resulting in a fight and ending with Ortiz slumped on the pavement, covered in blood and motionless.

Philippine consul general Wilfredo Maximo called the incident “unfortunate.”

“They [Palma and Ortiz] were here to seek better opportunities, and then they would be involved in an unfortunate incident,” Maximo said. “On the part of our kababayan [countrymen], it’s not wrong per se to have some kind of recreation, but I hope they should restrain [themselves] in the consumption of alcohol and exercise self-control in matters of personal relationship.”

Maximo said Ortiz’s sister, Maria Teresa, would be coming to Saipan. However, Maximo said her application for a visitor entry permit has yet to be processed.

The management and staff of the Dai-Ichi hotel expressed sympathy for the death of Ortiz, who worked as a painter for the hotel’s engineering and maintenance department.

“We are deeply saddened by the death of our employee, Mr. Ortiz. Our hearts and prayers are with his family and we will do everything we can to assist them during this difficult time,” said Mark Swinton, the hotel’s general manager.

“The whole Dai-Ichi team is impacted by this tragedy. We greatly appreciate all the well wishes of the community we have received over the past week,” he added.