By Bernadette H. Carreon
Horizon news staff

Sen. Alfonso Diaz will undergo 20 hours of community service after he was convicted yesterday for assault and battery.
Judge Honora Remengesau Rudimch sentenced Diaz to six months imprisonment which was all suspended and instead the senator was placed under inactive probation.
Diaz was also asked to pay a fine of $100 and issue a public apology to plaintiff Olkeriil Ngiralmau.
Judge Rudimch said that Diaz need not go into the specifics of the case when he makes his public apology.
Rudimch said that the government proved beyond reasonable doubt that Diaz did not commit assault and battery against Ngiralmau.
Assistant Attorney General Paul Moivas prior to the sentencing recommended the same sentence imposed on Sen. Alan Seid to Diaz.
Diaz’s counsel Garth Backe asked the court for a lesser sentence but Rudimch said that Seid pleaded guilty and admitted to his wrongdoing.
Diaz also spoke before the court and said he accepts the decision and always believed in doing the right thing.
He said people who knows him will vouch for his character at someone who will not resort to violence.
Rudimch said that whether Diaz punched Ngiralmau or not is irrelevant to the court’s decision but the fact that the victim pulled and stopped from getting away from Seid at the time of the incident constitutes assault.
Rudimch said because Diaz has no prior conviction, the senator do not need to serve time in jail.
She added putting the senator in jail will not serve the country any good.
Diaz was charged with assault and battery together with Seid for hitting a man in a bar in Malakal.