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High Court affirms trader’s bribery conviction
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Posted on Nov 18 2005
The Supreme Court yesterday said it has affirmed the conviction of a Tinian businessman on bribery charges.
Superior Court Associate Judge David Wiseman had convicted Jong Hun Lee for attempting to bribe Esteven King Jr., an officer of Tinian’s Department of Labor and Immigration. At that time, King was conducting an investigation on a labor complaint filed by one of Lee’s employees.
In a media statement, the High Court disclosed, however, that it vacated the sentence meted out by the Superior Court on Lee and remanded the case back to the trial court for re-sentencing.
The Supreme Court said the trial judge made remarks regarding Lee’s Korean citizenship and race.
“Justice must satisfy the appearance of justice,” the Supreme Court said. “In the CNMI, the court has now held that the strong appearance that a sentencing might have relied on a defendant’s citizenship or race is impermissible.”
In affirming the bribery conviction of Lee, however, the High Court upheld the constitutionality of the CNMI bribery law. “The CNMI Legislature has discretion to decide whether trials under local law will be held before juries.”
The High Court added that Lee was treated the same as any other defendant who committed the same offense.
Chief Justice Miguel Demapan and Associate Justices Alexandro Castro and John Manglona reached a unanimous decision in the case. (John Ravelo)
