HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Three of five men accused in the fatal stabbing of Kifirston Aiken in 2022 may have their cases dismissed.
On Monday morning, Samson Shapucy, Alison Joe, Cyrus Mathias, Dero Isty and L-Son Joe appeared in the Superior Court of Guam for the case involving the death of 23-year-old Aiken. Aiken died at the Dededo Center along Wusstig Road in August 2022.
With trial scheduled to begin in the coming weeks, Judge Vernon Perez explained the hearing was a pretrial conference to hear updates on negotiations from the attorneys representing the five men.
After the defendants’ attorneys went down the line “deferring” comments to the Office of the Attorney General, prosecutor Sean Brown eventually gave the most significant updates about the case, which may involve dismissing charges for Mathias, Alison Joe and L-Son Joe.
Brown said he’d be dismissing Mathias’ case with prejudice and he will testify in the pending trial.
“He doesn’t know much. … I think that will highlight whether or not a crime occurred, but I think his testimony is still going to be extremely relevant … for the jury’s understanding of the case,” Brown said before discussing Alison Joe and L-Son Joe.
“I’m still contemplating a dismissal, probably without prejudice,” Brown said.
For Isty and Shapucy, Brown explained negotiations were ongoing and it was likely a plea agreement will be worked out for Isty’s case.
Shapucy, however, who faces a murder charge, still needs to have discussions about a plea offer sent to Brown by Shapucy’s attorney Terrence Timblin.
In light of the discussions, Perez requested the parties return Friday to allow Brown more time to determine if he can go to trial in the coming weeks.
Viral video
According to court documents, the men were charged after a viral video captured the attack and showed at least two men attacking Aiken.
Shapucy allegedly used a fishing spear and stabbed Aiken several times. Isty allegedly admitted to helping Shapucy in the attack. The others were seen by witnesses beating Aiken while he was on the ground, documents state.
Alison Joe, L-Son Joe, Isty and Mathias all face charges of aggravated assault.
From left, Cyrus Mathias, Dero Isty, attorney Anthony Perez and L-Son Joe, foreground, walk out of the courtroom Friday, May 5, 2023, at the Guam Judicial Center in Hagåtña.
