Attorney Joaquin DLG Torres, left, and his client, Shayne B. Villanueva, are interviewed by reporters following the court’s not-guilty verdict.
Moses Cabrera
THE Office of the Attorney General’s Criminal Division has formally charged Moses Pangelinan Cabrera, 78, with second degree murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and aggravated assault and battery.
He is scheduled to appear before Superior Court Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja on Monday at 9 a.m. for an arraignment.
According to the charging information, “Count I: Second Degree Murder. On or about August 1, 2024, on Saipan…Moses P. Cabrera unlawfully killed Pedro Pangelinan Cabrera with malicious afterthought, to wit: Defendant struck Pedro Pangelinan Cabrera several times with a hammer causing death, in violation of 6 CMC 1101(a) and made punishable by 6 CMC 1101(c)(2).
“Count II: Assault with a dangerous weapon. On or about August 1, 2024…Moses P. Cabrera, unlawfully [threatened] to cause, [attempted] to cause, or purposely [caused] bodily injury to Pedro Pangelinan Cabrera, with a dangerous weapon, to wit: Defendant struck Pedro P. Cabrera with a hammer, in violation of 6 CMC 1204(a), and made punishable by 6 CMC 1204 (b), 4101(a) and 4102(a).
“Count III: Aggravated Assault and Battery. On or about August 1, 2024…Moses P. Cabrera, purposely, knowingly, or recklessly [caused] serious bodily injury to Pedro Pangelinan Cabrera, to wit: Defendant struck Pedro P. Cabrera with a hammer causing serious bodily injury, to include massive head injuries, skull fracture and/or scalp lacerations, in violation of 6 CMC 1203(a), and made punishable by 6 CMC 1203(b) and 4101(a).”
The defendant is facing life imprisonment for second-degree murder, 10 years imprisonment for assault with a dangerous weapon, and 10 years imprisonment for aggravated assault and battery.
Moses Cabera has admitted killing his brother, Pedro Cabrera, 71, by using a hammer to hit the victim’s head and later dumping the body at the southern side of the Fishing Base in Garapan, police said.
In a freely given statement to Police Lt. Catherine Pangelinan, Moses stated that he and his brother Pedro had a heated disagreement about their family land, which led to a physical altercation. Moses said Pedro threatened to stab him under a tree at their family compound.