REYNALDO A. Manila, an inmate serving a 60-year prison sentence for the death of his six-month-old goddaughter in 2000, is among the nine parole applicants scheduled to appear before the CNMI Board of Parole at the multi-purpose center on Wednesday and Thursday.
Manila, a Filipino national, was 39 years old when then-Superior Court Associate Judge Virginia Sablan-Onerheim sentenced him in June 2002 to 60 years in prison for second-degree murder.
A doctor had testified that the baby was shaken “very hard,” consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
A jury found Manila guilty of second-degree murder and child abuse.
Manila, now 59, has served 20 years of his 60-year sentence.
In December 2015, the Board of Parole unanimously voted for the commutation of Manila’s 60-year sentence because of an underlying health issue — an eye issue that could lead to blindness.
But in January 2016, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres decided against the commutation of Manila’s prison sentence.
The Attorney General’s Office had warned that commuting Manila’s sentence “runs the risk of setting a dangerous precedent.”
Board of Parole Chairman Ramon B. Camacho said the two-day hearing starts at 9 a.m., and is open to the public.
The other parole applicants are:
• Sheng Qui Yin (“ice” trafficking)
• Anthony Laatman Muna (attempted robbery, and accident involving injury/failure to stop)
• Fei Long Zheng (“ice” trafficking)
• Li Hui Shi (“ice” trafficking)
• Sung Joon Park (“ice” trafficking)
• Benjamin Bok Lee (burglary)
• Esekiel “Easy” Smith (leaving the scene of the accident and reckless driving)
• Marcus Untalan (assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, criminal mischief)
The Office of the AG’s criminal division led by chief prosecutor John Bradley will oppose the parole applications of the nine felons.
