By Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa
Variety News Staff

A MAN charged in a domestic violence case has been found guilty by the Superior Court.
Associate Judge David A. Wiseman said Arnold Litulumar Balbin is guilty of assault and battery and violating an order of protection.
But Wiseman acquitted Balbin of the criminal mischief charge, saying the court did not find proof beyond reasonable doubt to show the guilt of the defendant with respect to this charge.
Wiseman set the sentencing for Feb, 1 at 9 a.m.
Balbin appeared for a bench trial on Monday with his counsel, Assistant Public Defender Adam Hardwicke.
The government was represented by Assistant Attorney General Melissa Simms.
According to the prosecution, Balbin, on March 17, 2006, punched and pushed his wife in the presence of a child and damaged property of the Northern Marianas Housing Corp. when he kicked the door of the victim’s house.
Balbin, moreover, violated an order of protection issued by Judge Kenneth Govendo on March 21, 2006 directing him to stay away from the victim’s residence.