by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Superior Court Judge Anita Sukola has denied all of the defense motions filed in the Blue House Lounge case. 16 defense motions in all were denied. As we reported defense attorneys representing former Blue House Lounge owner, Song Ja Cha, and police officers David Q. Manila, Mario Laxamana and Anthony Quenga filed a slew of motions with the court seeking to have the criminal charges dismissed on various grounds.

The judge denied each of the defense motions including one that requested that the case be severed and the defendants tried separately. The judge noted that the denial was based on the interest of judicial economy and absent enough evidence from the defense of undue prejudice of having a joint trial.

The defense also moved to have the case thrown out alleging prosecutorial vindictiveness, failure to provide exculpatory evidence to the grand jury, pre-indictment delay, violation of 6th Amendment rights to a lawyer and due process, and a violation of the statute of limitations. The only motion the court did grant was for the government's motion to grant discovery in the case.

A further proceedings hearing is scheduled for February 25 at 9AM.