Man admits shooting wife

Norberto Blas Camacho is led out of the courtroom after his change of plea hearing yesterday in the CNMI Superior Court. (Kimberly A. Bautista)

The 58-year-old man accused of shooting his wife in 2017 has admitted to the allegations and asked for the leniency of the court and the forgiveness of his family. The wife survived the attack.

During a change of plea hearing yesterday, 58-year-old Norberto Camacho pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder.

Camacho told Superior Court Associate Judge Wesley Bogdan that he indeed shot his wife in Dec. 17, 2017, amid a heated argument. “I did shoot my wife, your honor. …There are no words for what I did,” he said.

Camacho cried during his sentencing because he was expecting the presence of his family, who did not show up for the hearing.

“I am so sorry for the pain and the injuries…I just hope and pray that they can forgive me. …I wish they were here to hear it from me,” he added.

Office of the Attorney General assistant attorney general Teri Tenorio read a statement from the victim where she said she has found peace since the incident and asks, on behalf of her husband, that the court be lenient with Camacho.

Bogdan later sentenced Camacho to 15 years in prison, with five years suspended, without the possibility of parole, work release, or early release. That means he will serve at least 10 years in prison.

Camacho will also be placed on probation for five years upon his release.

Other terms of Camacho’s plea agreement include the payment of all court fees, to stay 1,000 feet away from the victim and not contact her, to not harass the victim, and to not possess, carry, or use any firearm.

Camacho will also be required to pay restitution, is barred from going to bars, and must submit to drug tests.

The incident happened on Dec. 17, 2017, at approximately 11:28pm, Department of Public Safety officers Edward Cepeda and Eric Flores responded to a report of a shooting.

While driving to the scene, the officers noticed a shirtless man standing under a street light along Anonas Drive with a rifle seemingly pointed in their direction.

An off-duty officer, Olympio Muña, informed Cepeda and Flores that the victim was locked inside a house with a gunshot wound to the leg.

The victim, later identified as Camacho’s wife, said they have been arguing since three days earlier, and matters escalated after having another argument earlier that evening. Witnesses say they heard at least four gunshots as well as a woman yelling for help, before members inside the home led her to safety. Paramedics transported the victim to the Commonwealth Health Center for treatment at 12:03am, Sunday.

Crime scene technician Leopoldo Duenas Jr later procured the gun, identifying it as a .410 caliber shotgun.