Jury acquits suspect in businessman’s murder

The eight-member jury in the murder trial of Jeffrey T. Deleon Guerrero handed a not guilty verdict Friday, sending gasps of relief from members of the defendant’s family who came to the Superior Court in full force.

Jurors acquitted Mr. Deleon Guerrero on all six counts levied against him to include charges of first degree murder, second degree murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, burglary and robbery.

Defense counsel Joseph Horey expressed elation over the court’s decision, thanking the jury members for “keeping an open mind” and “receiving the truth.”

“I feel great for Jeffrey and his family. An innocent man has been set free. That’s the greatest thing in the world,” said the private lawyer, in an interview over the weekend. The recently-concluded murder trial was his first criminal case in four years.

His co-counsel Robert O’Connor was not on island to hear the verdict.

According to the defense counsel, every aspect about defending his client was very trying and difficult.

His client, Mr. Deleon Guerrero, was tried for murder and several charges in connection with the slaying of Chinese businessman Zhou Rong last March 2000 at the Yellow House Massage Parlor.

The case strongly hinged on case strongly hinged on testimonies by two Chinese eyewitnesses.

“I think the evidence was all relying on the eyewitness testimony and they came in the trial that was not reliable testimony, or reliable memory of the people who have claimed to have seen him,” he said.

He added that the witnesses may have seen an individual who looked similar to Mr. Deleon Guerrero.

During the closing arguments, Mr. Horey emphasized point by point to jurors the statements witnesses made on the stand, such as “I did not see clearly” and “I didn’t pay attention to them.”

“They were not paying attention, they were frightened, they were confused so…they picked the wrong guy,” the attorney said.

Mr. Horey further pressed that the culprit behind the brutal killing of Mr. Rong is still at large.

“Somebody is guilty of it. I hope the police will keep an open mind about that from this point on and continue their investigation,” he said.

The defense is urging police authorities to intensify its search for the real perpetrators and be on the lookout for all possibilities before they jump the gun on a suspect.

The murder case was concluded Friday, after two weeks of jury trial heard before Associate Judge Juan T. Lizama.