Subic rape trial goes on 2-week break
Inquirer
THE MARATHON trial of four American soldiers charged with conspiring to rape a Filipino woman last year was adjourned for 16 days, as the prosecution’s last witness could not appear in court until fully recovering from an undisclosed sickness.
After consulting with the prosecution and defense panels, Makati Regional Trial Court Judge Benjamin Pozon Tuesday scheduled the continuation of trial on Aug. 17, when prosecution witness Dr. Rolando Ortiz II is expected to be recalled to the stand for another round of questioning by defense lawyers.
The judge also tentatively set for Sept. 4 the start of the defense panel’s presentation of witnesses and other evidence to rebut the allegations of rape against four US soldiers, part of the Okinawa-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Force who took part in the RP-US war games “Talon Vision.”
Ortiz, the prosecution’s 18th witness, was unable to appear for Tuesday’s scheduled hearing as he was suffering from an illness, which prosecutors disclosed to Pozon in a confidential sidebar. State Prosecutor Hazel Valdez said in open court that the doctor may be available only after two weeks.
Also a criminology professor, Ortiz was the medico-legal officer who examined complainant Nicole at the James Gordon Memorial Hospital in Olongapo City some 33 hours after the victim was allegedly raped in a moving van inside the Subic Bay Freeport.
In his testimony on direct examination, Ortiz told the court that Nicole’s bruises in her genital area, arms and legs were consistent with her allegations that she was sexually abused on Nov. 1, 2005. The complainant had alleged that Lance Corporal Daniel Smith forced himself onto her while she was dead drunk that night, while Staff Sergeant Chad Carpentier and Lance Corporals Keith Silkwood and Dominic Duplantis cheered him on.
After consulting with the prosecution and defense panels, Makati Regional Trial Court Judge Benjamin Pozon Tuesday scheduled the continuation of trial on Aug. 17, when prosecution witness Dr. Rolando Ortiz II is expected to be recalled to the stand for another round of questioning by defense lawyers.
The judge also tentatively set for Sept. 4 the start of the defense panel’s presentation of witnesses and other evidence to rebut the allegations of rape against four US soldiers, part of the Okinawa-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Force who took part in the RP-US war games “Talon Vision.”
Ortiz, the prosecution’s 18th witness, was unable to appear for Tuesday’s scheduled hearing as he was suffering from an illness, which prosecutors disclosed to Pozon in a confidential sidebar. State Prosecutor Hazel Valdez said in open court that the doctor may be available only after two weeks.
Also a criminology professor, Ortiz was the medico-legal officer who examined complainant Nicole at the James Gordon Memorial Hospital in Olongapo City some 33 hours after the victim was allegedly raped in a moving van inside the Subic Bay Freeport.
In his testimony on direct examination, Ortiz told the court that Nicole’s bruises in her genital area, arms and legs were consistent with her allegations that she was sexually abused on Nov. 1, 2005. The complainant had alleged that Lance Corporal Daniel Smith forced himself onto her while she was dead drunk that night, while Staff Sergeant Chad Carpentier and Lance Corporals Keith Silkwood and Dominic Duplantis cheered him on.
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
10:28 AM
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