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Judge reduces bail, releases one defendant
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Posted on Dec 11 2011
Superior Court associate judge Joseph James Norita Camacho on Friday granted a request to post a $16,250 unsecured or appearance bond and be released to two third party custodians made by one of three defendants who allegedly beat up and fractured the left jaw of a 70-year-old man in Dandan.
At a bail modification hearing, Camacho determined that Lorenzo L. Norita and his wife Kristina Suda Kapileo are suitable to serve as third party custodians for defendant Jerome Kaipat Norita.
Lorenzo Norita is the uncle of the defendant.
Camacho also agreed to reduce the $16,250 cash to appearance bond.
Attorney Robert T. Torres, counsel for the 23-year-old Jerome Norita, moved to modify the $16,250 cash bail and also requested the court to release the defendant into the care, custody, and supervision of third-party custodians.
Assistant attorney general Nicole Driscoll opposed the modification of bail. Driscoll said the defendant’s brutal and unprovoked attack shows that he is a danger to the community.
Driscoll said Jerome Norita should not be released under any bail conditions short of actual cash bail, in order to adequately ensure his compliance with the terms and conditions of his release.
Driscoll said that, on Dec. 2, 2011 at 7:19am, Jerome Norita, his father, Juan Norita Jr., and another man, attacked 70-year-old Pantaleon P. De Jillas as well as his son, Ernie Matagolai De Jillas, along Flame Tree Road in Dandan.
The prosecutor said Pantaleon De Jillas had just been involved in an accident and had stopped to render aid to a girl that he struck with is pick-up truck.
The defendants came and allegedly started punching and kicking the old man.
As Ernie De Jillas approached to help his father, the defendants allegedly began hurling pieces of cinder block at him. One piece of the cinder block struck Ernie De Jillas in the ear, cutting him.
On Wednesday, Camacho denied Juan Norita’s request to post a property bond and be released to his wife. The judge determined that the wife is not suitable to serve as third party custodian.
