The jury trial of a woman accused of attacking her then common-law husband with a hot frying pan began yesterday in the Superior Court.
Associate Judge Perry B. Inos completed the selection of seven jurors who will decide the fate of the 33-year-old Carmelita Guiao.
After the prosecution's and the defense counsel's opening statements, the government called its first witness, the alleged victim.
The victim testified that when he arrived at their house at Sugar King Estate in December 2011 he saw Guiao eating breakfast while their children have not been fed. The victim said he got mad and decided to cook breakfast for their children. As he was cooking, Guiao cussed him and told him to leave the house.
He said Guiao went inside their bedroom and locked the door. He followed and forced the door open with a knife. He said he never threatened Guiao with the knife.
He said Guiao then repeatedly hit him with a hot frying pan. He said he tried to protect himself with his arms.
According to a police report, the victim managed to take the frying pan from Guiao and instructed their children to call the police.
As Guiao was telling her story to police officer Jason Tarkong, the fire alarm went off in the house's bedroom. The report said that Tarkong learned that Guiao had set fire to the victim's shoe and tried to flush it down the toilet.
Tarkong allegedly smelled a strong odor of alcohol on both the victim and Guiao.
The victim admitted in his testimony that he and Guiao had been drinking the night before their fight.
When Saipan Tribune left the courtroom yesterday afternoon, assistant attorney general James McAllister was still questioning the victim.
In his opening statement, McAllister said they charged Guiao with assault with a dangerous weapon and other charges for hitting the victim thrice with a hot frying pan.
In his opening, assistant public defender Daniel Guidotti said the police reported that the victim sustained bruises and burns on the arms. He said photos, however, will show that the victim did not have bruises and burns.
“Pictures don't lie,” he said.
He said the victim assaulted Guiao and that “in fact the bad actor here is not Guiao” but the alleged victim.
The trial will continue this morning, Tuesday.
Guiao has a separate case for allegedly chasing the victim and running him over with a car in Garapan. The victim suffered serious injuries.
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