Moses Cabrera pleads not guilty for brother’s death

After an alleged confession that had factored in his arrest, Moses Pangelinan Cabrera is now pleading not guilty to all charges against him in the death of his brother Pedro Pangelinan Cabrera.

The 78-year-old Cabrera appeared before Presiding Judge Roberto Naraja yesterday morning at the Superior Court in Susupe for an arraignment hearing, his first appearance back in court after his preliminary hearing had been waived. During the court session he pleaded not guilty for charges of second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and battery, and assault with a dangerous weapon.

Cabrera is scheduled to return to court for a 9am status conference on Sept. 16, 2024. He is expected to appear with court-appointed lawyer, Chief Public Defender Douglas Hartig. Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds will represent the CNMI government. After the court session, Cabrera was handed back to the Department of Corrections.

According to court documents, Moses Cabrera had confessed to killing his 71-year-old brother, Pedro Cabrera, after a heated argument over their family land escalated into a physical altercation. Moses claimed that Pedro had threatened to stab him under a tree at their family compound. In response, Moses used a hammer to strike Pedro in the head, later disposing of his body at the southern side of the Garapan Fishing Base.

Court documents reveal that on Aug. 1, 2024, a Department of Public Safety officer responded to a report of an unconscious male at the Garapan Fishing Base. The officer found Pedro’s body, and identified it because of the deceased’s tattoos and other distinguishing features. Pedro’s face itself had been unidentifiable due to severe injuries, with the forehead to nose cracked open, and the left eye sunk into his head which appeared to the officer like he was staring down a hole. Later the cause of death was confirmed to be severe head trauma.

Further investigation led officers to Moses’ residence, where they discovered evidence linking him to the crime, including bloodstains, brain matter near the compound, and a hammer used in the attack. Surveillance footage also showed Moses’ vehicle at the Garapan Fishing Base on the day of the incident.

According to the reports, Moses later confessed to the murder during an interview, explaining that the altercation with Pedro led to the fatal attack.

The case remains open as investigators continue to gather additional evidence. DPS also continues to urge anyone with information about suspicious activity at the Garapan Fishing Base last Aug. 1 to contact the authorities.

The second person of interest, Pedro and Moses’ other brother, Fritz, is also under investigation for the death of the former and has not been cleared by police.

Moses Pangelinan Cabrera