Trial starts for sex offender

by Nick Delgado

Guam - Jury trial for 24-year-old Henry Cepeda Chinel began today at the Superior Court. Chinel, a Level III Sex Offender, is accused of sexually molesting a female tourist back in April while at his job with the Star Sands Resort. He faces charges of 3rd and 4th degree criminal sexual conduct.

During opening statements, defense attorney Peter Sablan called for a mistrial after the prosecutor Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Vasiliades told jurors of Chinel's criminal past. Sablan argued the inappropriate statement already paints a picture for the jurors without first seeing the evidence. The prosecution agreed to refrain from asking witnesses about Chinel's prior record, where he was convicted for sexually molesting a 14-year-old years back.

He was just released from prison on November last year after serving a three-year sentence for that conviction.

Day 2 of trial for Chinel continues tomorrow at 9am before Judge Elizabeth Barrett Andersen.