By Bryan Manabat
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Variety News Staff
THE jury trial of Justin C. Diaz, 40, who is charged with second-degree sexual assault of a minor and disturbing the peace, opened Tuesday before Superior Court Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo.
A six-member jury with two alternates was empaneled on Monday. On Tuesday afternoon, three Department of Public Safety officers took the stand to testify about their involvement in the case and the filing of the initial complaint on Aug. 22, 2023.
Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds and Assistant Attorney General Frances Demapan are representing the Commonwealth. Diaz is represented by Chief Public Defender Douglas Hartig and Assistant Public Defender Emily Thomsen.
Both sides delivered opening statements Tuesday morning. Prosecutors allege that on the night of Aug. 22, 2023, Diaz entered the bedroom of the victim, then 14 years old, while the household was asleep and touched and kissed her inappropriately.
According to the original complaint, the incident came to light after a 14-year-old boy reported to police that his girlfriend was contemplating suicide. He told officers she had been sexually abused by Diaz. The girl later told personnel from the Division of Youth Services and Child Protective Services that the August incident was not the first time Diaz had abused her, adding that she did not feel safe around him.
She reportedly told officials she was too afraid to call the police herself and instead confided in her boyfriend, telling him she wanted to harm herself because of the encounter. Following the report, she was examined by a sexual assault nurse examiner at the Commonwealth Health Center and admitted to the pediatric ward for her safety.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
