Hearing held for prison phone call in drug case

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - The jury trial of Mateo Sardoma Jr., Rudy Sablan and Maria Edrosa was put on hold today as both sides presented arguments on the admissibility of a phone conversation.  The three are accused of running one of the largest drug rings on the island and have been on trial for the last few months. 

At issue today, outside the presence of the jury, was whether the prison phone recording between Sardoma and Edrosa is admissible.  Sardoma's attorney, Curtis Van De Veld, argues the conversation is privileged because his client and his girlfriend were discussing matters of attorney-client privilege. The defense also claims the recording doesn't present an accurate reflection of the conversation and can be misconstrued.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Black argues the defense has failed to meet its burden of proving that the privilege applies in this case.  Arguments were presented this afternoon and the jury trial is scheduled to resume on Friday.