by Mindy Aguon

Guam - The government will appeal the superior court's decision to grant a convicted sex offender a new trial.

Last week Superior Court Judge James Canto granted Adam Messier's motion for a new trial. Messier was convicted last year of sexually assaulting a female minor and faced a maximum of 17 years behind bars. The judge found numerous inconsistencies with the testimony of the government's key witness. He noted in the decision and order, that the credibility of the victim and her sister were impeached as both girls admitted to lying just a year prior about their brother and father sexually abusing them.

The court was scheduled to hold a criminal trial setting on Tuesday, but the appeal now halts any further action in the lower court.