Teen suspects plead not guilty

The three teenagers accused of killing and robbing a security guard during a burglary at Marianas High School in Susupe last month pleaded innocent at their arraignment yesterday.

Eric Rabauliman, Edward Blas, and Randy Igisomar, through their court-appointed lawyers, pleaded not guilty to the information charging them with murder in the first degree during the perpetration of burglary and or robbery.

The 18-year-old Rabauliman also pleaded not guilty to two counts of burglary, one count of conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon and burglary, two counts of theft, and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon.

Chief prosecutor Kevin Lynch earlier disclosed that Blas and Igisomar would be charged with burglary, theft, and assault with a dangerous weapon in juvenile court because both are only 16 years old.

Superior Court presiding Judge Robert Naraja set a status conference for Jan. 12, 2009 at 1:30pm. Naraja ordered the three to appear at the status conference.

At the Jan. 12 hearing, the judge said, the parties in the case should be prepared to advise the court whether the matter will disposed of by a change of plea, trial, or other disposition.

“The parties should also be prepared to select a trial date for this case,” said Naraja in a separate case management order.

Attorney Lillian Tenorio is counsel for Rabauliman. chief public defender Adam Hardwicke is representing Igisomar, while attorney Bruce Berline is defending Blas.

Lynch stated in the charging information that that on or about Nov. 17 or 18, 2008, Rabauliman, Blas, and Igisomar killed Efren Lagua Ballesteros during the perpetration or attempted perpetration of burglary and or robbery.

The chief prosecutor said Rabauliman agreed with one or more individuals “to engage in conduct resulting to bodily injury to Ballesteros,” adding that Rabauliman attacked the security guard with a PVC pipe.

Lynch said Rabauliman also burglarized a classroom and the JROTC room at MHS where he stole laptop computers, cash, and a JVC camcorder.

The Superior Court has imposed no bail for the three defendants, who are all students at MHS.

Police say Igisomar and Rabauliman have confessed to the crime, saying that all three of them attacked the security guard with a piece of wood, a PVC pipe, and a rebar before breaking into several classrooms at MHS where they stole laptops and money.

Ballesteros, 45, was found dead at MHS campus in Susupe where he was assigned in the morning of Nov. 18, 2008. He received massive injuries to the face and head caused by blunt objects. He also suffered a possible fractured skull, police said.

Ballesteros’ wallet containing $300 cash and a wristwatch were reportedly stolen. He had two minor children, including a five-month old baby, on Saipan.

The Saipan Pacific Winds, the CNMI’s sole community concert band, will be holding a fundraising concert for the family of Ballesteros on Dec. 22 at the Pacific Islands Club in San Antonio.