Rep. Camacho’s assault trial begins next month

The bench trial for Rep. Vicente Camacho (D-Saipan) is set to begin next month where he is expected to take the stand along with 12 other defense witnesses.

The bench trial for Camacho, who is accused of brutally beating Steven Koch back in October 2021, is set to begin on Feb. 8, at 9am before Superior Court Associate Judge Kenneth Govendo.

Based on the defense’s witness list, Camacho is expected to take the stand during his trial along with 12 other defense witnesses.

According to court documents, Camacho, 61, and co-defendant Teipo Nikiti, 21, are accused of assaulting Koch and are facing charges of assault and battery and disturbing the peace.

Camacho was arrested by the Department of Public Safety on the evening of Nov. 2, 2021, but he is out on a $1,250 bail.

Due to the alleged assault, Koch reportedly suffered abrasions, bruising, and pain in his head and body from the blows, and was taken to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. for examination.

On Nov. 1, 2021 Koch, his wife and daughter asked the Superior Court to issue a temporary restraining order against Camacho, Nikiti, Ignacio “Ike” S. Concepcion, and Fiel Reynaldo Ortiz.

This was later granted, with Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho issuing a TRO and a one-year protective order against Camacho, Nikiti, Concepcion, and Ortiz.

The assault incident is believed to have stemmed from a longstanding animosity between Koch and his brother-in-law, Concepcion.

According to court documents, there had been animosity between Concepcion and his siblings, including Koch’s wife, Magdalena Concepcion-Koch.

Camacho, who is also related to Concepcion, allegedly aligned himself with Concepcion, inserting himself in the family’s feud.

On Oct. 29, 2021, Koch alleged that two altercations happened; one between him and Concepcion, and the other was the alleged beating led by Camacho.

Vicente Camacho