Ampatuans ask court to defer massacre trial 08/30/2010

Ampatuans ask court to defer massacre trial
08/30/2010
Former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., together with his son, Andal Jr., has asked the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) to postpone the Sept. 1 trial of the multiple murder charges against the Ampatuan clan until Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes resolves all related pending motions before her sala.

Government prosecutors, however, vowed to oppose the motion of Andal Sr., one of the principal suspects in last year’s massacre of 57 persons.

State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera said the government panel will file its opposition to the clan’s legal move this coming week.

He also expressed confidence that the judge tasked to hear and try the case, Solis Reyes, will not grant the Ampatuans’ petition.

“The trial (date) has already been set for Sept. 1. There’s already a pre-trial, and the pre-trial order was issued last Friday. We don’t see any reason it should be delayed any longer,” he said.

Navera said the trial will be for those who have already been arraigned last month, unlike in the case of Andal Sr. who has yet to be arraigned..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100830hed5.html