NANAMI Deleon Guerrero Mafnas and the prosecution have asked the Superior Court to quash a $500 bench warrant it issued for her arrest after she failed to appear at a status conference hearing on Oct. 18.
Mafnas, represented by Assistant Public Defender Charlene Brown, and Assistant Attorney General Frances Demapan, who represented the government, stipulated to move the court to recall and quash the bench warrant issued.
The stipulation of the parties also requested the court to schedule a status conference for a date and time convenient to the court.
According to the stipulation, the failure to appear was not willful, as “Ms. Mafnas did not get notice from defense counsel of the court date. She now begs the court to quash the bench warrant and re-set this matter for a status conference.”
Judge Joseph N. Camacho on Oct. 19, 2023, granted the parties’ stipulation and quashed the bench warrant.
The judge also scheduled a status conference for Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 10 a.m.
The defendant is accused of assaulting a government attorney in March 2023, and was charged with one count of assault and battery, and one count of disturbing the peace.
Her bench trial is scheduled for Jan. 14, 2024.
According to the prosecution, “On or about March 18, 2023, on Saipan…, the defendant…did unlawfully strike, beat, wound, or otherwise cause bodily harm to Keisha Blaise, to wit: Defendant grabbed the victim by her braided hair, pulled her out of the vehicle, and hit her face and body, in violation of 6 CMC § 1202(a), and made punishable by 6 CMC §§ 1202(b) and 4101(c) [with a maximum punishment of 1 year imprisonment, $1,000 fine, or both].”
Furthermore, on or about March 18, 2023, on Saipan, the defendant “did unlawfully and willfully commit an act which unreasonably annoyed or disturbed another person so that the other person is deprived of her right to peace and quiet, or which provokes a breach of the peace, to wit: Defendant physically assaulted the victim, causing her to feel scared to leave home, in violation of 6 CMC § 3101(a) and made punishable by 6 CMC §§ 3101(b) and 4101(d) [with a maximum punishment of six months imprisonment, $500 fine, or both].”
