Naraja also credited the time already served by Randy Igisomar, 19, in the Kagman Juvenile Detention and Corrections facility since his arrest days after the murder.
The court required Igisomar to pay a $2,000 fine, a $100 court assessment fee, a $2,000 probation fee, and a restitution to be determined through the Victim Advocate’s Unit of the Attorney General’s Office within three months.
Naraja also took into consideration the recommendation of Chief Public Defender Adam Hardwicke, counsel for Igisomar, to continue the detention of the defendant in the juvenile facility.
But the decision is up to the commissioner of the Department of Corrections, Naraja said.
Describing the crime as heinous, Naraja said Igisomar, then 16-year-old, was charged, and eventually convicted as an adult.
Assistant Attorney General Brian D. Gallagher, who prosecuted the case, clarified that under the statutes, a defendant must serve for 10 years before becoming eligible for parole.
But Hardwicke said he will push for Igisomar’s application for parole after seven years, or over four years from now.
Gallagher in an interview with reporters said the CNMI government will oppose Igisomar’s application for parole, and is hoping that he will complete serving 22 years in prison.
Naraja has already sentenced the two other defendants: Eric Rabauliman, 26 years; and Edward Blas, 24 years with the possibility of parole.
Before remanding him to Corrections’ custody, Naraja reminded Igisomar “to take time to think all the things that happened.”
“Do not waste your time in jail. Build up your spirit, your hope. Get some skills while in detention. Do not forget [the victim and the family he left behind]. Find ways to help them. You promised to take care of them,” Naraja told Igisomar.
The judge said the “system” failed Igisomar who should have been charged as a minor, and has to undergo rehabilitation as recommended by an expert.
Hardwicke told reporters they respect the judge’s sentence, and are “happy that Judge Naraja considered our recommendation” to place Igisomar under JDU custody.
“He is taking [special education] class and attending every single day,” Hardwicke said, adding that they don’t believe that Igisomar could pursue his education while in Corrections.
Hardwicke said he is hoping that Corrections Commissioner Ramon Mafnas will find Naraja recommendation appropriate.
Hardwicke said his client has cognitive deficiencies and has three personality orders.
This is why an expert recommended that Igisomar “be treated as a juvenile and not as an adult” defendant, Hardwicke said.
Gallagher said he was glad to see the case reach its conclusion, and was pleased with the judge’s sentencing as being appropriate.
He said the crime committed — taking of life — was heinous.
Blas and Igisomar were both 16, while Rabauliman was 18, when they were charged and arrested for the murder of Marianas High School security guard Efren Lagua Ballesteros, 45, who was found dead on Nov. 18, 2008 on campus. He left behind a wife and two children.
Igisomar, Rabauliman, and Blas attacked Ballesteros with a piece of wood, a PVC pipe, and a rebar on or about Nov. 17 or 18, 2008, the prosecution said.
The three then broke into several classrooms and stole laptops and money.
