Sergio Rangamar
AFTER a two-day bench trial, Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio found Sergio Mangarero Rangamar guilty of assault and battery, assault, and two counts of disturbing the peace.
The bench trial was held on Feb. 1 and 2. Rangamar was represented by Assistant Public Defender Charlene Brown while Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds appeared for the government.
“The Court, having carefully considered the testimony of witnesses, and after hearing the arguments of counsels, found the evidence presented proved guilt beyond a reasonable doubt as to the charges,” Judge Kim-Tenorio said in her judgment issued on Friday.
The judge ordered the Office of Adult Probation to prepare a pre-sentence investigation report and submit it to the court by May 3, 2024.
“A sentencing memorandum, if any, shall be filed on or before May 31,” she added.
She scheduled a sentencing hearing for June 11, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 217A.
In a statement, Hinds said: “The AG’s office agrees with the verdict. It provides justice for the victims in this case. And it sends a message that we do not want to live in a Commonwealth where people go around shooting weapons at others.”
Rangamar was arrested on July 19, 2023 after he was accused of shooting a couple with a pellet rifle, and injuring one of them in the leg.
According to the complaint against Rangamar, a couple was walking home after buying groceries in Chalan Laulau when the defendant started yelling at them.
The woman identified the man as Rangamar, who, she said, is related to her children’s father.
She said Rangamar got down from a piece of heavy equipment and went to his tin house, which was nearby. When he exited the house, he ran toward them while holding a gun, she added.
The woman said the gun was long and black “like what green toy soldiers carry.”
She said two or three shots were fired at her, adding that her right ankle was hit.
Her companion told the police that Rangamar then fumbled with the ammunition magazine before again pointing the gun in their direction.
He said Rangamar told them, “You better start running.” But the man said they did not run as they were in shock. He said he did not know Rangamar.
The woman’s companion said he tried to shield her when Rangamar shot them five times.
He said the woman told him that she was shot, and he saw blood coming out of her right ankle. As they left the area, he said he saw Rangamar walking back to a yellow excavator.
Police later found an empty Crossman .22 caliber pellet container outside Rangamar’s residence
