Saluta yesterday told jurors he was not armed with a knife, but was holding his silver lighter that had a three-inch flashlight.
Saluta, whose counsel is Assistant Public Defender Douglas Hartig, said his lighter was like a “shining metal.”
Saluta admitted punching Alejandro Orellano two times, but said he did so without the intention of hitting the victim.
Saluta said prior to the incident, he entered a poker room in Fina Sisu, where Orellano and his girlfriend were inside.
Saluta said Orellano “stared bad” at him, “from head to foot.”
Saluta said he went out of the poker room to be with his “kumpaire.”
When Orellano and his girlfriend came out, Saluta said he “politely” asked Orellano why he, Orellano, stared at him, the defendant.
Saluta said Orellano got mad, banged a vehicle, asked his girlfriend to open its door “as if he was about to get something” inside.
Orellano looked at Saluta as if he would “swallow” the defendant, Saluta told the court through an interpreter.
Saluta said Orellano was also moving backwards and fell. That was the time he, Saluta, ran away because he “feared” Orellano, Saluta said.
But Saluta denied chasing or kicking Orellano.
Saluta is being tried on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and disturbing the peace.
Presiding Judge Robert Naraja is hearing the case while Assistant Attorney Generals Peter Prestley and Benjamin Petersburg are the prosecutors.
Saluta has been unemployed since April 2007 while his wife lost her job in 2003.
Saluta first came to Saipan in 1997 while his wife arrived here in 1994.
The couple has four young children.
