Repeki gets 30 years

A Commonwealth judge imposed yesterday a 30-year jail term on convicted murderer Eugene Repeki, junking defense and prosecution pre-sentence recommendations that bordered on extreme ends.

Superior Court Associate Judge Timothy Bellas viewed as inappropriate the government’s proposed 60-year imprisonment and the defense’ suggested ten-year jail time for the defendant.

In rendering a decision, the judge did not count as basis for consideration the unconvicted offenses lodged against the defendant, particularly a pending complaint accusing Mr. Repeki of attacking another security guard.

Defense lawyer Danny Aguilar had asked the court to disregard the separate case from being factored into the sentence, citing its inclusion would breach the defendant’s right to presumption of innocence.

“He was not convicted of this offense. The case is still pending,” said Mr. Aguilar.

“Also, the sentence shouldn’t be placed all on Mr. Repeki’s shoulder, since there are other two co-defendants in this murder case,” he added.

In an argument, the government insisted the pending complaint against Mr. Repeki be considered, indicating that the accusation somewhat reflects the defendant’s general conduct.

The prosecution painted the defendant as a bully who poses as a danger to the community, especially when intoxicated with alcohol.

Asst. Attorney General Clyde Lemmons also said it was Mr. Repeki who delivered the death blow, leading to the demise of Cesario B. Valerio last 1999.

He was found guilty last December 2000 of murder in the second degree in connection with the slaying of the 40-year-old contract worker.

The 23-year-old is only one of three suspects in the manslaughter and aggravated assault of the victim.

Mr. Valerio, a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines, was employed as a security guard at Courtney’s Plaza Commercial Bldg. in Chalan Kanoa when he was attacked by three men.

Severely beaten, police rushed him to the Commonwealth Health Center and was medivac to St. Luke’s Hospital in Manila where he later died due to severe head injury.

According to police investigation, three men took turns in hitting Mr. Valerio with a two-feet ashtray which caused a fracture in his skull.

One of the suspects who admitted to his part in the crime said that he, Mr. Repeki and another man went out drinking one fateful evening.

When they left the bar, they urinated at the side of City Outlet building where Mr. Valerio, who was then at the second floor of the establishment, reportedly picked a fight with them.

The three men rushed to the building where they claimed to have seen Mr. Valerio holding a pair of scissors and threatening to stab them. They then allegedly fought back by hitting Mr. Valerio with a two-feet ashtray and took turns in kicking him.