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Munson continues pre-trial meeting in Villagomez case
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Posted on Mar 26 2009
The federal court yesterday ordered to continue today, Friday, the pre-trial conference in the case against Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez and co-defendants James A. Santos and Joaquina V. Santos.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Alex R. Munson said the pre-trial conference, which began last Thursday, March 19, shall continue today at 10:30am.
No reason was given in Munson’s one-page order.
A pre-trial conference or a pre-trial hearing refers to a meeting of the parties and their lawyers to a case held before the court prior to the start of the actual courtroom proceedings.
According to law books, there are several reasons why such pre-trial conferences may be held: to expedite disposition of the case, help the court establish managerial control over the court action, and discourage wasteful pretrial activities.
The other reason for such conference is to facilitate a settlement of the case.
According to the indictment, Villagomez accepted a $15,000 bribe from James and Joaquina Santos for approving the purchase of Rydlyme, a cleaning and descaling chemical, for the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.
The Santos couple was also accused of bribery for offering the $15,000 to Villagomez.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty.
