Prosecution seeks modification of Desoto's bail

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - The Attorney General's Office has filed a motion to modify the bail of Chad Ryan Desoto, 21, who faces multiple counts of aggravated murder and attempted murder for Tuesday night's horrific events in Tumon. Desoto is currently being held on $2 million cash bail but with Thursday's death of 51-year-old Hitoshi Yokota, the prosecution is seeking additional bail.  

A hearing has been scheduled before Superior Court Judge Anita Sukola.  Desoto is scheduled to appear in court for the hearing.  It is anticipated that the prosecution will seek an additional $1 million in bail for Yokota's death. 

Meanwhile, four people remain at the Guam Memorial Hospital for injuries they sustained from Desoto's rampage.  An 8-month-old girl who was riding in a stroller was struck by Desoto's car as he sped on the sidewalk in Tumon in front of the Sandcastle driving up toward the Outrigger and crashed into the ABC Store.  He got out and began stabbing people until he was taken down and restrained until police arrived.  That same baby was later stabbed in the face as her mother, 29-year-old Rie Sugiyama, tried to shield her child from Desoto who stabbed her in the back repeatedly.  Sugiyama died from her injuries. 

Her 3-year-old was also stabbed and both children are listed in stable condition expected to be released from the hospital sometime later today.  81-year-old Haruko Uehara also died from stab wounds she sustained in the incident.  The two women were part of a wedding party as Uehara's grandson was scheduled to be married on Thursday.  The groom was Sugiyama's brother. 

A 51-year-old female also remains in the Intensive Care Unit in guarded condition. 

Guam Visitors Bureau Spokesperson Antonio Muna said the woman was initially reported to be 76 years old, but that information was clarified during a late afternoon press conference on Thursday.  A 70-year-old female who was also stabbed is listed in stable condition at GMH.