Pohnpeian of royal lineage gets jail term

Superior Court Associate Judge Ramona Villagomez Manglona has imposed a jail sentence on a Pohnpeian man born of royal blood who was convicted of repeatedly stabbing his friend with a knife on Saipan.

Manglona sentenced Peter Marasil Peter to three years in prison, all suspended except for six months, for aggravated assault and battery.

The judge gave the 29-year-old Peter 39 days credit for the time he has already served in jail. She ordered the defendant to start serving the prison term at the Department of Corrections in Susupe on May 10 at 8am.

In imposing the sentence, Manglona said she recognizes Pete’s noble background and the expectation that he will someday rule his own people.

“However, the defendant is subject to the laws in the CNMI while in the Commonwealth, and the rule of law here provides that no man is above the law,” she pointed out.

“As a future leader of his people, this court hopes that the defendant truly learns from this experience, that he will respect all laws that maintain peace and order, and that he himself dispense justice mercifully and not through violence,” the judge said.

After serving the prison term, Peter will be placed on probation. He was ordered to pay $500 fine, $2,789 in restitution for the victim’s medical expenses, $100 in court assessment fee, and $100 in probation fee.

During the probationary period, the defendant will be required to perform 100 hours of community work service.

The government filed in January 2005 an amended information charging Peter with attempted second degree murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault and battery, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.

The defendant entered a plea agreement with the government and pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and battery. The remaining charges were dismissed as part of the agreement.

The agreement stated that the jail sentence is open, with a cap of three years, subject to parole.

The factual basis of the agreement stated that on Sept. 22, 2004, Peter stabbed Alfonso Kihleng during a fight at Peter’s house in As Matuis Homestead.

According to a police report filed in court, Peter and Lolin Rollynn invited Kihleng and his wife Hermina Sarapio to their house for the late birthday celebration of Rollynn.

Peter and Kihleng were drinking with two other men outside the house. Later, Kihleng went inside the house and beat up his wife, Sarapio.

Kihleng accused Sarapio of having an affair with Peter. Kihleng then punched the screen door of the house and punched the defendant on the face.

Peter went to the kitchen and took a knife. He then went outside and stabbed Kihleng sixth times in the back and once in the neck.

Sarapio then grabbed the knife from Peter. Police and an ambulance later arrived.

Kihleng survived the injuries.

During the sentencing hearing, Peter apologized for his actions and expressed deep remorse.

In her written order, Manglona said this is a case in which a friendship between two young men almost ended with the death of one at the hand of the other.

“The ingredients that led to the unfortunate incident on Sept. 22, 2004, were alcohol, lies, and domestic abuse,” Manglona said.

The judge said that, because of his royal blood, Peter is known as “Madau” in Pohnpei.

Manglona said Peter admitted to the police that he stabbed the victim repeatedly to kill him. Peter stated that anyone who does not respect him ends up dead.

Manglona said many Pohnpeian nationals wrote letters on the defendant’s behalf, highlighting Peter’s noble status in Kitti Municipality, Pohnpei State, Federated States of Micronesia.

Many also noted that Peter and his family have conducted the traditional Pohnpeian apology ceremony of “Pekimahk” with the victim here on Saipan and with the victim’s mother in Pohnpei.

However, according to the victim, the defendant and his family have failed to satisfy the agreed upon terms of the apology, Manglona said.

She concluded that a long jail sentence is not warranted.

“Defendant’s conduct against the victim was provoked by the victim’s improper conduct toward his girlfriend and toward the defendant,” she said.

However, the judge noted, when Peter elevated the level of physical force by using a knife, especially after it appeared that the victim had retreated, this course of conduct warrants some period of incarceration.

“Although much was said at the hearing and the letters of support that there has to be peace, this court finds that there also has to be order,” Manglona said.