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‘Investigation in Banes’ traffic case now completed’
Chief prosecutor says COVID-19 delayed probe
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Posted on May 13 2020
The investigation has been completed in connection with the arrest of lawyer David G. Banes last March 9 for allegedly leaving the scene after hitting another car with his vehicle in Susupe, according to the Office of the Attorney General yesterday.
“The case is active,” said Chief Prosecutor John Bradley in response to Saipan Tribune’s request for an update on the status of the investigation.
The traffic docket was suspended for awhile due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bradley said, but Superior Court Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja recently resumed setting and hearing traffic cases. “We hope to get all cases moving again as soon as possible,” Bradley said.
In Banes’ case, Bradley said, they are awaiting the written report from the Department of Public Safety, which should arrive this week. He said the investigating officer was delayed by COVID-19 duties. “Once we have the completed report, we can review and decide on what formal charges, if any, will follow,” he said.
DPS did not release a press release about the incident. Sources at DPS disclosed that when the incident happened, Banes was allegedly under the influence of alcohol. Sources said Banes’ vehicle hit a car on Beach Road in Susupe. Police officers allegedly pulled over the lawyer’s vehicle by Joeten in Susupe. No one was injured in the accident.
When previously asked about the allegations surrounding his arrest, Banes stated, “Not true at all.”
Banes is the court-appointed counsel for Rota Mayor Efraim M. Atalig. The jury trial of Mayor Atalig and his girlfriend, Evelyn Atalig, on corruption charges, was supposed to start last March 10, but U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona postponed it for a week at that time due to Banes’ arrest.
The court had postponed the trial several times due to various reasons. The trial is currently set for July 7, 2020.
