Manglona defuses brief tension between Lujan, alleged victim

Friction briefly occurred yesterday in the ongoing jury trial of Raymond B. Roberto during defense counsel David J. Lujan’s cross-examination of one of the three alleged victims.

However, quick action by U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona, who is presiding over the trial, calmed down the 16-year-old girl and eased the tension.

The girl resumed her testimony until late afternoon yesterday. She was ordered to return today, Friday, for the resumption of Lujan’s cross-examination.

The tension started when Lujan asked the girl about her alleged text messages to a cell phone number that, according to her, was Roberto’s during their negotiation for sex in exchange for cash.

When Lujan asked her what she meant by the word polaña in one of her messages, the girl asked Lujan if he is not a Chamorro. When Lujan replied that he is, the girl snapped back: “Then you should know because you talked s**t about me yesterday!”

Manglona quickly interrupted, telling the girl to calm down. She gave brief instructions to the girl and Lujan. After a few seconds, Lujan continued his questioning of the girl, who appeared to have calmed down, hugging a stuffed toy and swinging her chair.

At 3:20pm, the girl asked Manglona if they can continue the hearing today, Friday. Manglona asked if she needs a break but the girl stated that she wants a full break.

The judge directed the prosecution and defense counsels to a sidebar discussion and ordered a break until 3:50pm.

After the break, the girl resumed her testimony. Most of the questions raised by Lujan were about the exchange of text messages pertaining to negotiations for sex in exchange for money between the girl and the other alleged victim and Roberto.

Saipan Tribune learned that Lujan’s cross-examination yesterday morning was delayed as the girl apparently didn’t want to continue her testimony that day.

U.S. Attorney for the Districts of Guam and NMI Alicia Limtiaco requested for a sidebar discussion, which Manglona granted. At that time, the jurors were not seated in the courtroom.

While Manglona and the lawyers were at the sidebar at about past 9am, Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent Haejun Park handed a piece of paper to either Limtiaco or Assistant U.S. Attorney Rami S. Badawy.

After the sidebar discussion that lasted a few minutes, Manglona announced that the hearing will continue at 10:30am. When the hearing resumed, the girl was present and Lujan began his extensive cross-examination.

On Tuesday before noon, the girl became upset at a comment Lujan made during cross-examination. She cursed at Lujan, threw a glass of water at him, and berated the prosecutors. The commotion prompted Manglona to order a recess and reconvene the following day.

Roberto, 41, a former acting Division of Fish and Wildlife director, is on trial for three counts of enticing three minors to engage in prostitution and one count of witness tampering.