Motion denied in Rudy Sablan drug trial

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - District Court of Guam Chief Judge Frances Tydingco Gatewood denied a motion filed by drug defendant Rudy Sablan's attorney to interview four former jurors involved in his drug trial. Sablan was found guilty along with Mateo Sardoma Jr., and Maria Edrosa on various drug trafficking charges. They are asking for a new trial because of allegation of jury misconduct.

The defendants allege the jurors were making comments about the case on social media. According to today's order Judge Gatewood said that although there's evidence of jury misconduct involving the four former jurors, the issue of whether the misconduct warrants a new trial will be addressed upon the completion of the evidentiary hearing and oral arguments on the motion which is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.