A just sentence for my daughter
May I appeal for a just sentence for my daughter, please!
On July 7, 2014, in the Saipan Tribune, I read “Ex-convict gets 18 months sentence for vicious attack” and this prompted me to compare this case with my daughter’s.
On one hand, you have here an ex-convict who committed a vicious attack, repeatedly punching a man and causing the victim to lose consciousness. Yet he still continued beating the unconscious person mercilessly. The government made a deal with him and dropped all the charges in two separate criminal cases as part of the deal. This person got only 18 months!
On the other hand, you have here a mother of five, who has never violated the law, who protected herself as best as she could while facing a life-threatening attack by a violent man with whom she—to her grief—has had a love-hate relationship. Government prosecutors pushed for the most severe punishment. The judge didn’t go into the history of what had happened and punished her in the heaviest way—20 years! Even the victim guy’s forgiveness and his requests not to punish her severely did not help!
Please compare: ex-convict whom the government’s favors got 18 months. A mother of five, no previous violation of the law, government pushed for a severe as possible punishment, 20 years. Simplifying even more: MONTHS versus YEARS!
I am elderly, a regular Man’amko Center-goer. I have no knowledge of laws and no money to spend for justice to take place. But I feel this with all my guts: Something is very wrong! I ask the powers-that-be, people of heart and compassion, to please help my daughter get a comparatively just sentence and not let our society go downward. My email address is bibbamanamko@gmail.com.
Teddy Guiao
Navy Hill, Saipan
Sir, I am vaguely aware of your daughter’s case because of what was in the papers. Since the full details and circumstances are not known, and since, as you state you do not have the income to personally pursue this, I would suggest that you find your way to the present Attorney general and/or the attorney that represented her (if still on island) and find your recourse.
If that fails then I would wait and see who the new elected AG is that takes office. If the one that I think may elected, your visit to him may be more enlightening.
I also periodically see your letters in the paper and your grief.
That is too bad for your sake. Also from what I remember you daughter also was not exactly a saint. But best you get legal advice from the proper place. Best of luck. BTW I hope that you are taking good care of the children and raising them properly by instilling better sense of values.
Captain,
See the websites relating to the Criminal Cases against Carmelita (CNMI V Guiao) below to better understand the case.
http://www.cnmilaw.org/pdf/superior/12-07-18-CR12-0001.pdf
http://www.cnmilaw.org/pdf/superior/12-08-30-CR12-0055.pdf
http://www.tollfree800legal.com/news/latest-law-news.cfm?Next-News-ID=26075603&start=51
A defendant will serve less time in prison, if he or she plea bargain with the prosecuting authority on his or her case. If we are not mistaken, Ms. Guiao was found guilty based on evidences shown to our judicial process (jury). It was evident that her criminal actions amounts to attempted murder. The reduction of punishment via the plea bargain deal mentioned above was the reason an ex-convict was given less time in the monkey house.