by Krystal Paco

Guam - A complaint made to the AG's Office prompts a public apology.

In a letter from Geraldine Castillo dated today, she addresses her disappointment in the OAG and how they handled her case. Last august, a drunk driver struck Castillo's car head on, nearly killing her. Castillo was upset to learn the defendant was allowed to leave island for military orders as well as had the felony charge reduced to a misdemeanor. In a meeting with assistant AG Charles Kinnunen, Castillo alleges he yelled at her and minimized her personal injuries.

Chief prosecutor Basil O'Mallan and Kinnunen address the matter in a press conference today.

"On behalf of the office of the attorney general and Attorney General Rapadas we would like to apologize to the victim again. We make mistakes. We're human. We try to minimize those mistakes and in this particular case, yelling at a victim was wrong," he said. "She's a victim and she deserves to be treated like a victim."

The AG's Office has since re-assigned the case to another prosecutor and withdrew the plea offer it previously made with the defendant.

Castillo tells KUAM this afternoon that although she appreciates their prompt response, she was not expecting that "they simply isolate my case, apologize, and improve their steps on this case alone."

She adds that she made her letter public to hold the OAG's accountable for future cases and treat victims with sensitivity.