Rep. Camacho now faces possible aggravated assault and strangulation charges

The prosecution in the case against Rep. Vicente Camacho (D-Saipan) wants to amend the initial complaint against the lawmaker to include aggravated assault and battery and strangulation, which would essentially turn the offense into a felony instead of a misdemeanor.

Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds of the Office of the Attorney General’s criminal division has filed a motion asking the court for leave to amend the Information filed against Camacho.

He explained that in the initial information filed in November 2021, Camacho and his co-defendant, Teipo A. Nikiti, were both charged with disturbing the peace and assault and battery pursuant to a complaint filed by Steve Koch, alleging that Camacho and three others beat him.

Camacho

However, Hinds said it is in the best interests of the Commonwealth to amend the information to charge Camacho with aggravated assault and battery, strangulation, and disturbing the peace.

Meanwhile, the prosecution also aims to amend the information against Nikiti to charge him with aggravated assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.

“After careful review of the evidence, additional investigation conducted by the OAG and Department of Public Safety, the Commonwealth, now asserts that the information filed on Nov. 10, 2021 must be amended to reflect the actions of the defendants on the night of Oct. 29, 2021,” he said.

Hinds stated that Koch allegedly suffered serious body and psychological injuries due the actions of the defendants and the information should be amended to reflect those actions.

“Koch, as evidenced by his medical records and examinations, has sustained serious bodily/psychological injury, after the night of Oct. 29. On the night of this incident, Koch was punched multiple times and [Camacho] pinned his knee on Koch’s neck, causing him to lose consciousness. The defendant’s actions in this case created a high probability of death and other bodily/psychological injuries,” Hinds stated.

The prosecution also informed the court that Koch’s injuries could not be determined within the first weeks after the incident.

“According to Dr. Norma S. Ada, in a letter dated Nov. 2, 2021, Koch was diagnosed with a concussion as a direct result of the incident. Since the incident, Koch’s symptoms have persisted. Koch has memory loss. He also developed anxiety and could not sleep without reliving the incident. Also, as a result of being hit multiple times and losing consciousness, Koch has developed vision issues and an inability to focus, which has caused him to have a hard time to walk straight, because of a loss of balance and coordination. Koch has felt the effects of these injuries for months and some injuries are still being endured,” Hinds said.

The lawyer also alleges that Camacho pinned his knee on Koch’s neck, impeding normal breath or circulation, causing an inability to breathe for Koch, which may have rendered him unconscious.

Superior Court Associate Judge Kenneth Govendo has granted the request for leave to amend information and has set a hearing on the matter for June 9, at 1:30pm.