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Thursday, February 23, 2006
Suspect refuses to enter plea
Jinky Jagdon did not enter a plea during his arraignment yesterday for the killing of radio broadcaster George Benaojan last December.
Defense lawyer Rameses Villagonzalo interrupted when Jagdon was asked to make his plea.
Villagonzalo told Judge Eric Menchavez of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 21 that they will not enter any plea. He did not explain in court their reason.
Menchavez ordered that a plea of not guilty be reflected in the record.
Blame
After the arraignment, Villagonzalo told reporters that Jagdon’s silence was a sign of “objection and protest” to the murder charge. The defense claims that Jagdon was only framed.
Last month, Jagdon, a former professional boxer, surrendered to clear his name and deny involvement in the shooting.
He has blamed two drug dealers for framing him and linking him to the murder.
Benaojan’s friend, Adriano “Jammy” Llanos, 40, identified Jagdon as the man he saw shoot the radio dyDD commentator at close range, while they were talking outside their stalls at the Talisay City Central Market last Dec. 1.
Jagdon’s name was also an issue yesterday, just like the day before when the accused was arraigned for another murder charge before RTC Branch 18.
Name
Villagonzalo, before the arraignment, asked the court to change the name reflected in the information. The information states that the accused is Roberto “Recla” Jagdon also known as Jinky Jagdon.
But Menchavez refused to issue the amendment until Jagdon could present his birth certificate. Anyway, the judge said, the information still carries the name Jinky Jagdon.
After the court proceedings, Menchavez asked if any of the complainants were present, there was none.
Not a member of the Benaojan family attended the hearing. Only Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Exequil Dagala was present in Benaojan’s behalf. (JGA)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 23, 2006 issue)
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