By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
THE Superior Court pushed ahead with its Wednesday morning docket — including the fatal assault case tied to the death of Alvin Remamba — despite a power outage that forced proceedings out of the Guma Hustisia in Susupe and into the House of Representatives chamber on Capital Hill.
Presiding Judge Joseph N. Camacho convened hearings at the legislative building after the courthouse generator went down earlier in the morning. Judiciary staff were working to repair the generator, according to court officials.
The case centers on Jeremy Guillermin, 29, and Aikman Bodobang Byron, 27, both former Palauan Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting trainees. Guillermin is charged with voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and battery, and obstructing justice. Byron faces charges of accessory after the fact and obstructing justice.
Prosecutors allege Byron opened the door of a police vehicle on the night of Nov. 16, allowing Guillermin to flee. CCTV footage reviewed by investigators also showed Byron and Guillermin speaking with Remamba outside Relox Bar in Garapan, where Guillermin appeared to confront and push him. Byron was later terminated from the ARFF program following the incident.
Police Officer Koji Taisacan testified that Remamba flagged him down outside Relox Bar, reporting that Guillermin was trying to fight him. Taisacan said he then saw Guillermin punch Remamba in the face, causing him to fall backward and strike his head on the pavement. Remamba was hospitalized and died four days later, on Nov. 20, from a brain hemorrhage and swelling.
Detective Myron Laniyo told the court that Guillermin claimed Remamba had pushed him several times and was the one initiating the confrontation. Investigators reviewed CCTV footage from Relox Bar and the adjacent Safe House bar showing interactions among the three men. Both defendants were undergoing ARFF training in Saipan at the time.
The jury trial remains set for May 18, with a pretrial conference scheduled for May 6, according to court records.
Judge Camacho also presided over two temporary restraining order cases during the relocated session.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
