THE jury trial of a man who allegedly struck a taxi driver with a machete has begun.
As of press time yesterday afternoon, Superior Court Associate Judge David Wiseman was still in the process of selecting the jury in the case against Frank Muna Tydingco.
Opening statements are expected to commence today after the jurors are impaneled.
Tydingco was originally charged with assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon, and aggravated assault and battery.
The Attorney General’s Office later filed an amended information charging the defendant with attempted first degree murder, attempted second degree murder, aggravated assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.
Assistant Attorney General Janine Udui is prosecuting the case. The Public Defender’s Office is representing the defendant.
Court and police records showed that the incident happened at San Antonio’s Pakpak Beach in July 2001.
The victim, described as a 27-year-old taxi driver, suffered injuries on the head.
Police investigation showed that while the taxi driver was driving along western Garapan, the suspect flagged him down.
The suspect later identified as Tydingco asked the driver how much it would cost to get a ride to Koblerville. When the driver said $20, the suspect got into the vehicle.
As the driver drove the car along Beach Road, Tydingco asked him to stop at Pakpak Beach.
The suspect proceeded to another car parked at the beachside while the driver waited for him.
When Tydingco returned, he was already armed with a machete.
