Previous Story
Ex-gubernatorial bet fears for his safety at DOC
|
Posted on May 01 2012
By Ferdie de la Torre
Reporter
Reporter
Businessman and former gubernatorial bet Juan Pan T. Guerrero asked the Superior Court yesterday to allow him to serve under house arrest for a drunk driving conviction instead of putting him in jail.
Guerrero expressed concern about his safety at the Department of Corrections considering that Ramon C. Mafnas has been reinstated at DOC commissioner.
Associate Judge Kenneth Govendo, however, ruled that he does not believe that Mafnas will harm Guerrero and ordered him to start serving the five-day prison term starting May 11, 2012. Govendo also required Guerrero to pay a $1,100 fine and suspended his driver’s license for six months.
Attorney Steven P. Pixley, counsel for Guerrero, in a motion for reduction of sentence, stated that during a hearing on March 19, 2012, Guerrero, through his attorney, advised the court that he was concerned about his personal safety if he is required to serve five days in prison as ordered by the court.
Specifically, Pixley said, Guerrero fears that DOC Commissioner Mafnas may retaliate against him because of a dispute between the two parties relating to a bid for food services at DOC. Guerrero stated that Mafnas once acted like he was about to pull a gun in his presence.
Then Superior Court associate judge Ramona V. Manglona convicted Guerrero following a two-day bench trial in August 2010. Guerrero appealed but the CNMI Supreme Court affirmed Manglona’s findings.
The case arose from an incident on the night of March 4, 2010, when Guerrero hit another vehicle on the northbound lane of Middle Road in Gualo Rai.
