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Tim, co-defendants appear in court, waive speedy trial
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Posted on Sep 17 2008
Lt. Gov. Timothy Pangelinan Villagomez and his co-defendants yesterday appeared in federal court and requested waiving their rights to a speedy trial.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Alex R. Munson granted the request of Villagomez and co-defendants former Commerce Secretary James Apatang Santos and his wife Joaquina Villagomez Santos and reset the jury trial for March 23, 2009 at 9am.
At the hearing, Munson first called Villagomez, then Joaquina Santos and James Santos.
After explaining some court proceeding procedures, the judge asked Villagomez why he wants to waive his right to a speedy trial.
The Lt. Governor, who was instructed to stand up in front of a podium, answered: “So I can adequately prepare my defense.”
Villagomez appeared relax at the hearing. He was with one of his lawyers, Joey San Nicolas. Some of his family members and friends were in the courtroom.
In granting the request, Munson stated that he can’t accommodate a January 2009 trial and instead reset it for March 23, 2009 at 9am.
When Munson called Joaquina Santos, Villagomez stood up and together with his wife Margaret and San Nicolas left the Horiguchi Building.
With respect to the Santos couple, both defendants said they need more time with their respective legal counsel in preparation for their defense in the case.
Attorney Ramon Quichocho is counsel for Joaquina Santos, while attorney Joaquin Torres is representing James Santos.
Torres also informed the court that assistant U.S. attorney Eric O’Malley agreed to extend the deadline for James Santos to file pre-trial filing motions.
Munson granted James Santos’ request and allowed him to file until Nov. 10, 2008.
Villagomez, James Santos, Joaquina Santos, and former Commonwealth Utilities Corp. executive director Anthony Guerrero were indicted with conspiring to bilk CUC out of thousands of dollars through business deals involving needless chemical purchases for CUC.
Villagomez and the Santos couple pleaded not guilty. Guerrero signed a plea agreement and entered a guilty plea.
