Previous Story
Jury deliberation starts in Monkeya trial
|
Posted on Dec 04 2013
Jurors began deliberations last night in the ongoing trial of Melvin Ilo Monkeya, a former Tinian police officer accused of sexually abusing a then-14-year-old girl inside the Tinian police station in 2008.
Saipan Tribune learned that the jurors started deliberations at 6pm. When they failed to reach a unanimous verdict by 7pm, they were directed to resume their deliberations at 8:15am today, Thursday. The trial is being conducted at the Superior Court Tinian.
Chief Prosecutor Shelli Neal and assistant attorney general Chemere McField yesterday called a police detective and two other alleged sexual assault victims of Monkeya.
The Office of the Attorney General has not charged Monkeya in connection with the incidents involving the two other alleged victims.
The prosecution rested its case after the testimonies of the three witnesses.
Defense attorney Jennifer Dockter then moved for a judgment of acquittal but Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho denied the motion.
Dockter then called two witnesses—Monkeya’s mother and an attending physician at the Tinian Health Center.
The trial began on Monday.
Monkeya, 42, is charged with one count of sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree.
