By Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa
Variety News Staff

THE Supreme Court has affirmed the trial court’s conviction of a man charged for assaulting a man in 2000.
Joaquin R. Crisostomo was convicted of assault, assault and battery and disturbing the peace by the Superior Court.
In an opinion yesterday, Supreme Court Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan, Associate Justice Alexandro C. Castro and Associate Justice John A. Manglona said Crisostomo failed to present any basis to reverse his conviction.
Crisostomo appealed the trial court’s order convicting and sentencing him on misdemeanor charges after a jury acquitted him of felony charges in the same proceeding.
But the justices said they find the evidence in the record sufficient to support the trial court’s holding.
They said they found Crisostomo’s arguments to be without merit because there was “a plethora of evidence” that pointed to his guilt.
According to the justices, the trial court held that the triers of fact in a dual trial, the jury and the judge, are not bound to each other — the bench trial does not have to mirror the jury’s decision.
Crisostomo was arrested on Nov. 30, 2000 along with co-defendants Neil Taisacan and Baldobino Taisacan for assaulting and robbing Seong Yong Tae on Oct. 29, 2000.
The victim was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint while operating the Marianas Washland Laundromat in Chalan Kanoa.
Crisostomo was charged with attempted murder, armed robbery, theft, assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of unlawful carrying of a firearm, criminal use of a firearm, two counts of illegal possession of a firearm, possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of prohibited ammunition and illegal possession of ammunition.
He was also charged with misdemeanor charges of assault, assault and battery and disturbing the peace.
A jury acquitted him of the felony charges, but he was found guilty on the misdemeanor charges by a judge.