Jury trial begins for man accused of impregnating girl
U.S. District Court for Guam Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood is presiding over a jury trial of Melvin David Diaz, a 49-year-old Guam resident who is facing charges of impregnating a girl on Rota.
Tydingco-Gatewood began the jury selection yesterday.
Saipan Tribune learned that the jury selection will continue today, Tuesday.
Former Superior Court associate judge Juan T. Lizama and attorney David Banes are representing Diaz. Assistant U.S. attorney Clyde Lemons Jr., a former CNMI criminal prosecutor, is prosecuting the case.
Diaz is charged with three counts of enticement of a minor and one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
According to the indictment, between Aug. 1, 2010 and Sept. 30, 2010, Diaz traveled from Guam to the CNMI for the purpose of engaging in illicit sex with the minor.
