Callaghan pleads not guilty

Public information offer Peter A. Callaghan pleaded not guilty during his traffic case arraignment yesterday at the CNMI Superior Court.

Callaghan, together with his counsel, former associate justice Edward Manibusan, appeared at his 1:30pm schedule in the courtroom of associate judge Juan T. Lizama.

His next appointment in court, a status conference, is set on July 26.

Callaghan was issued a summons last week in connection with his involvement in a car accident on May 4.

Information filed in court by the Attorney General’s Office said that Callaghan allegedly failed to provide needed information and failed to stop immediately when he got involved in the accident, which resulted in property damage.

Government prosecutors said Callaghan failed to immediately give his full name, address, the registration number of his car, and failed to exhibit his operator’s license and registration card to the person struck or the operator of the other vehicle.

They also alleged that Callaghan failed to immediately stop to notify the operator of the other car.

Further, government prosecutors accused Callaghan of “false reporting.”

They alleged that Callaghan unlawfully gave information in both oral and written reports “knowing or having reason to believe that the information is false.”

Meantime, chief prosecutor David Hutton in a response letter to Sen. Pete Reyes dated May 25, confirmed that a previous traffic case of Callaghan resulted in “a non-trial disposition.”

Callaghan figured in a traffic accident in August 2002, resulting in a judgment and commitment order entered by Judge Lizama.

In Reyes’ May 24, 2004 letter to Hutton, he asked as to what kind of plea agreement was reached in the 2002 case, which he said ended up in the dismissal of the “driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs charge.”

“I cannot stress enough my belief that each resident of the Commonwealth, without regard to person or position, is equal before the law,” said Reyes.

Hutton said that based on his review, an offer of non-trial disposition by the prosecuting attorney was made to Callaghan’s counsel, Joseph Arriola, on or about Aug. 16, 2002.

“That offer was accepted on the same date, and the case was scheduled for a change of plea hearing [before Lizama],” said Hutton.

He said that on Aug. 22, 2002, the defendant’s plea of guilty was entered on the basis of the stipulated non-trial disposition. On the same date, Lizama entered a final judgment of conviction, he said.

Notably, Hutton said the transaction occurred during the term of former Attorney General Robert Torres. Torres resigned from his post on Aug. 23, 2002.

Hutton told Reyes that on behalf of the criminal division, “I can assure you that we share your conviction that each resident…is equal before the law.”

Reyes earlier urged the Legislature to conduct an oversight hearing on Callaghan’s involvement in the accident.

Reyes claimed that Callaghan was given special treatment and that he had fled the scene of the accident without waiting for traffic investigators.

The senator also claimed that Callaghan was not tested for alcohol.