THE victim in the attempted murder case is expected to testify today in court against defendant Francisco M. Tydingco.
Sajjad Ur. Rahman may take the witness stand at 10 a.m. for the continuation of the jury trial of Tydingco in Superior Court.
Rahman was seriously injured on the head when Tydingco allegedly struck him with a machete in San Antonio on July 1, 2001.
During yesterday’s opening arguments, the Attorney General’s Office said the case is about a dangerous man who without any warning or reason struck a person on the skull with a machete.
AGO said when Tydingco committed the crimes he did not even know the victim.
Prior to the incident, AGO said, the defendant showed up without even being invited at a Christening party in Koblerville in the evening of June 30, 2001.
At the party, a commotion happened between two groups in which Tydingco threatened to beat up and kill one of the guests.
Later, Tydingco and Rahman met near Pacific Islands Club. Without any warning, the defendant crushed the victim’s skull with a machete, AGO said.
The defendant left the bloodied Rahman behind. The victim managed to drive toward the Commonwealth Health Center, AGO said. Assistant Public Defender Douglas Hartig, counsel for the defendant, did not make any opening statements.
The government’s witness, Isidro Cruz Cabrera, yesterday said he attended the party after he was invited by his cousin.
Cabrera said while they were drinking outside the house, they saw Tydingco arrive in a blue car.
Cabrera said they approached and asked Tydingco who invited him. The defendant answered it was “John,” but Cabrera said they didn’t know who was that person.
The witness said Tydingco later proceeded to the other side of the road where two Pakistanis and some Palauans were talking.
A commotion occurred in the group and Cabrera said he heard Tydingco threatening he would beat up one of the Pakistanis.
Cabrera said he told Tydingco he should not do it because the Pakistani might be dangerous.
The witness said he warned the defendant so that he would leave the place.
Tydingco then left but one of the Pakistanis followed in another vehicle, he added.
The government’s account of the incident was different.
According to initial police records, the incident happened at 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.
As the victim drove the car along Beach Road, the suspect later identified as 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.
Police yesterday said their first report was different because when interviewed at the time, the victim was badly injured and told a different version “out of confusion.”
Tydingco was originally charged with assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon, and aggravated assault and battery.
The government 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.
