Cops, civilians not guilty; mistrial for lesser charge
A Superior Court jury has returned a not guilty verdict on conspiracy to commit aggravated assault charges against eight police officers and two civilians who were accused of covering up the alleged beating of Owen Moni and several other arrestees back in November of last year.
By KUAM Newsby Mindy Aguon
Guam - A Superior Court jury has returned a not guilty verdict on conspiracy to commit aggravated assault charges against eight police officers and two civilians who were accused of covering up the alleged beating of Owen Moni and several other arrestees back in November of last year.
Superior Court Judge Vern Perez polled jurors today and they returned not guilty on all charges, but the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision on the lesser charge of assault against officers Joe M. Duenas, James V. Quenga, Raynold Alcantara, and Joaquin Q. Castro.
The judge declared a mistrial for that particular charge against the officers.
The decision comes after jurors spent nearly three weeks deliberating and even asked to review Moni's testimony. The officers, civilians, their attorneys and the jury spent more than three months in the criminal trial.