HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Kelly Taimanglo pleaded for his release from prison and said his life was being threatened.
On Monday morning, before Judge Maria Cenzon in the Superior Court of Guam, Kelly Taimanglo and his brother and former mixed martial arts fighter Joseph “Baby Joe” Taimanglo appeared for a case in which they are accused of assaulting a man who owed the brothers money in January 2022.
While most of the hearing involved attorneys discussing the next steps in the case, near the end, Kelly Taimanglo, who appeared via Zoom from the Department of Corrections, had his hand raised before Cenzon allowed him to speak.
Kelly Taimanglo then said he had been the victim of attacks in prison.
“Your Honor, I’ve been attacked by inmates. … I’m suffering (from) a broken rib right now. … Right now, I’ve lost some of my teeth, … and my jaw is messed up,” said Kelly Taimanglo, who asked to go to the hospital after being attacked Dec. 18, 2023.
“I’ve been held hostage … for over a month and a half. I want to go home. My life is being threatened, and they’re trying to get to my brother as well. … Hopefully to God you can find it in your heart to release me and my brother,” Kelly Taimanglo added before confirming he had been moved to the infirmary while recovering.
“I’m asking to put myself and my brother in protective custody. … They’re trying to kill us,” Kelly Taimanglo continued to say before his attorney, Samuel Teker, stated a motion has been filed for his release.
The Guam Daily Post inquired with DOC about the incident and Maj. Antone Aguon confirmed that there have been no reports but that they will look into it.
Trial
Before Kelly Taimanglo’s statements, Cenzon asked attorneys involved about the status of the case, considering trial was set to begin this week.
Prosecutor Christine Tenorio started by asking whether Kelly Taimanglo’s “mental state” had become an issue because it “would affect the posture of the case.”
Tenorio further explained that’s why a plea offer has yet to be sent. Teker stated he would speak to Kelly Taimanglo regarding the issue.
As for Joseph Taimanglo, his attorney, Ana Gayle, the managing attorney for the Alternate Public Defender division, had rejected a plea offer, but said more discussions needed to be had.
“Apparently, Mr. (Joseph) Taimanglo is supposed to meet with the prosecution on other matters,” Gayle said, stopping short of detailing what other matters could be discussed. “I’ll just put it that way.”
Joseph Taimanglo is charged in other separate criminal cases.
“That would affect this case, so even though we rejected the offer, that doesn’t mean that we want to go to trial necessarily on Wednesday for this case because his other matters might affect this case,” Gayle added.
As a result, Cenzon decided to vacate the Jan. 10 trial date.
Kelly Taimanglo
Joseph Taimanglo
