Cop waives right to speedy trial

The police officer whose service firearm was allegedly used in the Kagman shooting that saw a minor being shot in the face has waived his right to a speedy trial.

The parties in the case of police officer Raymond Lizama Saralu filed an update with the Superior Court last week, essentially informing the court that they have agreed to continue Saralu’s jury trial to a later date.

Saralu’s trial was essentially set for January 2024.

In their stipulated update to the court, Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds and assistant public defender Emily Thomsen said the parties in the case is seeking a continuance in the case because the child involved is set to undergo oral surgery and may not be available in time for the trial.

“The Commonwealth received an update on the minor victim’s medical situation. The victim’s mother informed our office that the minor victim has recently undergone a procedure on Dec. 6, 2023, and it was determined that the minor victim would require oral surgery, and are waiting for the doctors to set a new date. Due to the uncertainty of the next scheduled surgery, to include recovery period following his surgery, the minor victim and his mother have no confirmed return date for their scheduled return to Saipan. After conferring with defense counsel, the defendant stipulates to the continuance, and waives his speedy trial rights,” states the stipulated update.

Saralu, 27, facing six charges connected to his alleged failure to secure his police firearm properly, which police said resulted in an accidental discharge of the weapon that injured a 7-year-old child on May 21, 2023.

Saralu was also charged with one count of obstructing justice for removing his government-issued firearm, which was allegedly the actual gun used in the shooting, and replacing it with his personal firearm.

Each of the five counts is punishable by a fine of $1,000 and imprisonment of not more than 180 days, or both.

Saralu also faces one count of the storage of firearms involving his government-issued firearm, Glock 19 Gen5 9mm, which caused serious bodily injury to the minor victim. The offense is punishable by a $5,000 fine, and/or five years’ imprisonment.

The obstructing justice charge against Saralu is punishable by one-year imprisonment and a fine of $1,000, or both.