Saturday, November 03, 2007 ‘Reprieve’ for son of Carcar VM
THE court gave the former barangay councilor convicted of murdering a student four years ago 15 days to comment on the motion of the prosecution that wants to see him behind bars.
Regional Trial Court Judge Bien-venido Saniel Jr. also gave the camp of Mark James Enriquez 10 days to file their answer to the comment that will be submitted by accused Anthony John Apura.
After which, Judge Saniel is expected to rule whether he will issue a warrant of arrest against Apura so he can serve his sentence.
Apura, son of Carcar City Vice Mayor Nicepuro Apura, was found guilty of being an accomplice in the death of Enriquez in 2003.
Sentenced
He was sentenced to six to 14 years in prison while his co-accused Sherwin Que was sentenced to 20-40 years behind bars for shooting Enriquez, a student Que and his friends mistook to be a member of a rival fraternity.
Apura is still a free man after the court denied the prosecution’s manifestation with motion for the entry of decision and for the issuance of a warrant of arrest against him. Apura is out on bail while Que is already serving his sentence.
Lawyer Carlos Cavada earlier asked the court to issue a warrant of arrest against Apura.
He also urged the court to suspend the approval of the notice of appeal filed by the accused. Apura informed the court that he will elevate his case to the Court of Appeals hoping that he will get acquitted.
Cavada argued that since the motion for reconsideration of Apura was set beyond the 10-day mandatory period, it is not entitled to judicial cognizance and that the conviction of Apura and Que became final and executory. (KNT)
