HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — A former Guahan Academy Charter School teacher accused of sexually assaulting a student in 2021 has begun his trial in the Superior Court of Guam.
On Thursday afternoon, Darrell Dee Francis Lujan appeared before a jury of his peers who will determine whether he is guilty of second- and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct and electronic enticement of a child.
According to court documents, Lujan, a former CHamoru teacher at GACS, was charged last year in connection to sexually assaulting a 14-year-old student in 2021.
Opening
After a jury was selected, prosecutor Christine Tenorio gave her opening statements, where she asked jurors to find Lujan guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
In her opening statements, Tenorio referred to many of the details outlined in Lujan’s magistrate’s complaint, which alleges Lujan in 2021 molested the 14-year-old victim in Lujan’s vehicle.
Tenorio gave more context, however, in explaining Lujan was trusted by the victim and his family, as it wasn’t out of the ordinary for Lujan to spend time with the victim outside of school. She added the victim himself and family members will testify “they didn’t think anything of it.”
In this case, Lujan’s actions are believed to have occurred after Lujan and the victim were getting food for the victim and his family.
Tenorio then asked the jury to listen carefully to all the testimony.
“It’ll be very important for you to really listen to the testimony that is given, most especially by (the victim), but also everyone else,” Tenorio said.
Inconsistencies
In response, Lujan’s attorney, Peter Santos, from the Alternate Public Defender, explained to the jury there will be a lot of details “glossed over” when the government is presenting its case.
For example, Santos said, the victim’s recollection of events at different points during the investigation will show the victim gave different details about the alleged incident, such as what time it took place and what happened in the car.
“There’s a lot of inconsistencies. There’s a lot of things that don’t make sense and you’re just going to be asked to use your common sense in assessing what actually happened,” said Santos, who also urged the jury to listen carefully to everyone and return a not guilty verdict for Lujan.
Darrell Lujan
