Lizama drops murder case vs man

The Superior Court yesterday dismissed the case against a man who, along with his brother, was charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a man at a residence in San Vicente in 1999.

Associate Judge Juan T. Lizama dismissed with finality the case against George Taitano Manglona after the Attorney General’s Office did not oppose Manglona’s motion to drop the matter.

Lizama, however, noted his displeasure that the case “has been allowed to drag that long.”

The judge set a status conference last Jan. 16 after finding that there was no activity of record in Manglona’s case for approximately four years.

At the hearing, defense counsel Joseph Horrey made an oral motion to dismiss, which the AGO did not oppose.

“In light of the undue delay, and noting of government’s lack of opposition, defendant’s motion is hereby granted, and the information in this matter is accordingly dismissed with prejudice as to Manglona,” Lizama said.

The Saipan Tribune gathered that in June 2000, Manglona entered into a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and battery. On Aug. 12, 2000, he was released pursuant to the agreement.

A status conference was set for Nov. 8, 2001, but this was reset to Dec. 5, 2001. There was no record in court since that Dec. 5 status conference.

Manglona and counsel showed up for the sentencing on Jan. 3, 2002, but they learned that the sentencing was not even calendared that day.

Court records show that Manglona and his brother Nestor Taitano were charged in connection with the fatal gun shooting of Joaquin de la Cruz in San Vicente on May 4, 1999. The two were also charged over the kidnapping and beating of Lydia Sanchez Santos.

During the trial, Taitano claimed self-defense in pulling the trigger of the .22-caliber rifle that killed de la Cruz. He also denied beating and abducting Lydia Santos from her house in Dandan.

In June 2001, the jury found Taitano not guilty of first and second degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, kidnapping, assault with a dangerous weapon (knife), assault with a dangerous weapon (firearm), aggravated assault and battery, and use of a firearm in the commission of assault with a dangerous weapon.

But the jurors found the then 23-year-old Taitano guilty on the charges of involuntary manslaughter and use of a firearm in the commission of involuntary manslaughter.

Lizama also found Taitano guilty of assault and battery.

Taitano appealed.

In December 2005, the CNMI Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Taitano. The Superior Court then learned that Manglona was never sentenced.