Closing arguments in ‘ice’ case

Posted on Apr 07 2017

Tag: Colin Thompson, District Court, Garth Backe, Yang Zou

The prosecution and the defense rested their case yesterday in the ongoing jury trial of a businessman accused of possessing 5 grams or more of methamphetamine or “ice.”

After calling seven witnesses, assistant U.S. attorney Garth Backe announced that the U.S. government rests its case against Yang Zou.

Defense counsel Colin Thompson did not call any witness.

The trial will resume today, Friday, at 8:15am, in which the parties are expected to deliver their closing arguments.

U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona was able to empanel 13 jurors, including an alternate, on Wednesday.

A superseding indictment charged Zou with one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Zou allegedly knowingly possessed with intent to distribute five grams or more of actual methamphetamine on April 15, 2016.

Zou and two other suspected “ice” suppliers were arrested and taken to court last Dec. 14.

Ferdie De La Torre | Reporter

Ferdie Ponce de la Torre is a senior reporter of Saipan Tribune. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has covered all news beats in the CNMI. He is a recipient of the CNMI Supreme Court Justice Award. Contact him at ferdie_delatorre@Saipantribune.com

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