Testimony begins in second Torre trial

Despite the defense's numerous attempts to have the case dropped completely, Mark Torre Jr. returns before a jury trial for the second time with his attorney Jay Arriola.

Torre is accused of the 2015 fatal shooting of fellow police officer Elbert Piolo known as Bert.

In 2019, after a jury found him guilty for the homicide; a decision by the higher court vacated the case. The Supreme Court ruled that the Superior Court of Guam made the mistake of denying the defense's motion to suppress bodycam footage that showed Torre was not read his Miranda rights upon arrest.

Now in the government's second try at the case, Torre faces negligent homicide and aggravated assault charges. Opening statements began this morning, however, due to the Judiciary of Guam's lack of media accessibility a last-minute change in the court order denied video recording, photography and any electronic devices of the hearing. Due to COVID -19 trial is being held across the street at the San Ramon Building. Once reporters were allowed access into the courtroom, the first government witness was called to the stand- Bert's widow Mika Piolo. In her testimony, Mika detailed what she remembered from the night of July 12, 2015, the last time she ever heard from her husband. Mika testified that just like every Sunday, Bert went to Beach Bar in Tumon to play the congas in his band soul vibes. She said he typically would return home by 2 a.m.

When asked by Chief Prosecutor Basil O'Mallan if she knows why Bert never came home that night, she responded with "Now I do, but not at the time." The second government witness, then Beach Bar bartender Greg Rosario testified that Torre was there that evening with a group and all, including Bert were intoxicated.

Rosario further testifying the group of law enforcement personnel made plants to go to another bar, Abandon Ship. A customer at Abandon ship that evening, Krystal Paco San Agustin also took to the witness stand this afternoon. Paco-San Agustin is the current Governor of Guam press secretary, but at the time was a crime reporter and was MC'ing an event at Abandon Ship. A video inside the bar was brought into evidence by Attorney Arriola, after she testified that both Torre and Piolo approached her at the bar... with Torre coming off as "arrogant and combative, but not insulting."

Trial continues tomorrow with more government witnesses testifying.