Man who escaped from custody appeared in court, denied charges

Nickasio Kintaro, who escaped on January 30, appeared with counsel Chief Public Defender Garth Backe on July 24 and entered a not guilty plea to the charges of escape and obstruction of justice.Kintaro was released from custody after he posted $1,000 surety bond for his two criminal cases, the escape and obstruction of justice and the burglary and grand larceny cases.Kintaro’s status conference was set for Sept. 19 at 11:15 am at the Melekeok courthouse.The Public Defenders office was also relieved from representing Kintaro due to conflict of interest. The court appointed Attorney Siegfried Nakamura to represent the defendant.The information filed in court by Assistant Attorney General RonaldLedgerwood stated that Kintaro on January 30, “being a prisoner, did unlawfully depart from custody.”The information added that Kintaro “did unlawfully resist or interfere with law enforcement officers in the lawful pursuit of his or her duties.”The police affidavit submitted in court stated that Kintaro was escorted to the holding cell on January 30 at the Koror courthouse.The affidavit stated that Kintaro was handcuffed to a metal bar in the cell and the court Marshall went up to the courtroom 104.The court Marshall then returned to the cell at 2:30 p.m. and heard from another Marshall that Kintaro had escaped.The affidavit stated that Marshall Flavin Rubasch saw Kintaro running away from the courthouse.Marshall Rubasch chased the defendant and ordered him to stop but he kept running inside the BBI compound, jumped a fence and ran into the mangrove behind a residence in Medalaii.Court document stated that Kintaro was convicted of assault and battery with dangerous weapon and was sentenced to one year of imprisonment.The sentence was all suspended except for 1st ten days.He was summoned to appear in court on June 13 for his escape case but he failed to appear.The court then issued a warrant of arrest on June 13.