Bench trial for Senate president’s daughter reset

The Superior Court has rescheduled the bench trial of the daughter of Senate president Edith Deleon Guerrero’s (D-Saipan), who is accused of assaulting a government lawyer.

Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph Camacho has rescheduled the bench trial for Nanami Deleon Guerrero Mafnas, who allegedly assaulted CNMI assistant attorney general Keisha Blaise in March 2023.

According to the scheduling order, Mafnas’ trial, which was initially set for Jan. 16, has been rescheduled to March 13, at 9am.

Mafnas, who is the daughter of Deleon Guerrero and former Department of Public Safety commissioner Ray Mafnas and is represented by the Office of the Public Defender in this case, chose to proceed to trial instead of pleading guilty.

Mafnas, who is facing charges of assault and battery and disturbing the peace, faces a maximum imprisonment sentence of one year, a $1,000 fine, or both, for the assault charge.

The information filed in court states that Mafnas grabbed the victim by her braided hair, pulled her out of the vehicle, and hit her face and body on or about March 18, 2023, on Saipan.

The charge of disturbing the peace arose from the same incident. The court information states that Mafnas physically assaulted the victim, causing her to feel scared to leave home. Mafnas faces a maximum imprisonment sentence of six months and a $500 fine if found guilty.

The Superior Court issued an arrest warrant for Mafnas last April 2023 with bail set at $5,000.