HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — A man accused in a fatal shooting in September 2023 in Maite is scheduled to go to trial in August.
Jayson Sowas appeared Thursday morning in the Superior Court of Guam for a status hearing in a case where he is being charged with murder as a first-degree felony.
Judge Vernon Perez said Sowas is scheduled to begin trial in August, then asked attorneys for updates on negotiations.
Assistant Alternate Public Defender Tyler Scott, in response, said if an offer is provided, defense attorneys will discuss it with Sowas, but aside from that, they will be preparing for trial.
Perez subsequently scheduled Sowas to appear on May 2.
Shooting
Sowas was accused of shooting and killing Benedic Beram on Sept. 9, 2023, in front of the Hi-5 Logo Shop in Maite.
According to court documents, Sowas was reported to the Guam Police Department for allegedly making threats at the 24 Wash & Dry Laundromat in Maite. After leaving the laundromat, Sowas allegedly shot Beram. However, he told officers he did not know the victim.
When questioned by police, he said he did not have any reason why he was threatening people. “I just did it,” Sowas said, according to a magistrate’s complaint.
“When asked why the defendant shot (Beram), the defendant responded, ‘I don’t know. I just wasn’t thinking when I shot him,’” the complaint stated.
Sowas was charged with murder as a first-degree felony and aggravated assault as a second-degree felony, with special allegations of use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. He was also charged with burglary of an automobile as a second-degree felony and theft of a firearm as a third-degree felony.
According to Post files, Sowas pleaded not guilty to the charges by reason of mental illness, but a mental health evaluation completed in November 2023 determined Sowas was psychologically fit to stand trial
Jayson Sowas
The Guam Judicial Center is seen Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Hagåtña.
