A former Rota police officer facing accusations of sexually abusing a minor was acquitted of all charges yesterday. <\/p>\n
After about five hours of deliberations, the six jurors unanimously found the 49-year-old Melvin Maratita Manglona not guilty of two counts of sex abuse of a minor in the first degree.<\/p>\n
Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho, who presided over the trial, found Manglona not guilty of disturbing the peace.<\/p>\n
Although disappointed with the verdict, Chief Prosecutor Michele Harris told Saipan Tribune that they will remain vigilant in seeking justice in cases involving sexual abuse of a minor.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo victim should ever suffer in silence,\u201d said Harris, who assisted assistant attorney general Teri Tenorio in prosecuting the case.<\/p>\n
In rendering his verdict, Camacho said he carefully considered the testimonies and credibility of the witnesses, the exhibits introduced into evidence, and the arguments of counsels.<\/p>\n
Camacho found that the government has failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Manglona is guilty of the crime of disturbing the peace.<\/p>\n
The judge said the repeated verbal and written denials by the 14-year-old girl and her complete denial in court left him with reasonable doubts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe court reaches this decision not by ignoring contrasting and conflicting evidence but rather after considering all evidence,\u201d Camacho said.<\/p>\n
Camacho stated that the girl testified that everything she told a teacher, the police, and prosecutors were lies and untrue\u2014meaning that Manglona did not sexually abuse her.<\/p>\n
None of the other government witnesses saw what happened, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is easy to speculate and guess that maybe it could have happened. Guessing is not evidence,\u201d said Camacho, pointing out that the law requires that crimes are proven beyond a reasonable doubt.<\/p>\n
In this case, Camacho noted, there is no DNA, no marks or scratches, and no physical evidence.<\/p>\n
The judge said the girl, who is the only witness, when questioned by attorneys of both parties, testified that Manglona did not sexually abuse her.<\/p>\n
Camacho said there is also testimony by other witnesses that the girl told them that Manglona sexually abused her.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth versions are equally believable. Both versions are believable but both cannot be true,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Camacho said a finding of guilt cannot be based on \u201cmaybe it happened, maybe it did not happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
The government alleged that Manglona sexually abused the girl last July and August 2016 on Rota. The trial began on Monday. The prosecution called a total of 10 witnesses, including the girl. <\/p>\n
Defense counsel Brien Sers Nicholas, counsel for Manglona, did not call any witness. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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