AG discusses concerns with Masnayon family over plea deals

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Attorney General Leonardo Rapadas met with the family of Cameron Masnayon on Thursday to hear their concerns about the way his office offered plea agreements to the defendants that they had not been informed about nor agreed to. The three assailants, Daniel and Michael Rosal and William San Nicolas all cut deals with the prosecution.  Masnayon's mother, Barbara Tayama, however was never consulted about allowing one of the defendants to plead guilty to misdemeanor assault. 

In a statement, Tayama says both the AG and the chief prosecutor said they would not have offered anything less than a felony charge considering the victim had a major traumatic brain injury from the beating.  They also sought clarification for Michael Rosal's plea agreement as they understood he would face a range of 7-13 years in prison and nothing less.  Tayama adds she believes there was more than enough evidence for a successful conviction even without her son's testimony.

She says Rapadas apologized and took full responsibility of the actions of one of his attorneys who failed to inform the victim and discuss the lesser plea.  Tayama is hopeful that by sharing their concerns, they will be a voice for other victims to have fair and better representation from the AG's Office.