IN SEXUAL ASSAULT OF MINOR CASE

Roberto motion for mistrial denied

Posted on Mar 09 2017

Superior Court Presiding Judge Robert C. Naraja denied yesterday the motion for a mistrial filed by a 50-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a girl on Saipan.

Naraja said he disagrees with Andres B. Roberto that the case warrants a declaration of mistrial.

Roberto’s bench trial will resume on March 31, 2017. The bench trial began last Aug. 22. The trial was postponed several times due to some legal issues, among other reasons.

Assistant attorney general Jonathan Robert Glass Jr. is prosecuting the case. Defense counsel is Joaquin DLG Torres.

Police said Roberto handed $60 for a fundraiser to the 14-year-old girl, hugged her, kissed her on the mouth, squeezed her breast, and rubbed her butt in the back of a house on the evening of April 19, 2016.

The girl said she pushed Roberto away, threw the money back at him, and ran inside the house.

Roberto is on trial for sexual assault of a minor in the third degree, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace. He pleaded not guilty.

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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