Thursday, August 14, 2008 Staircase fall ends woman’s detention
A FLEEING female detainee slipped and fell yesterday in an attempt to escape. But when she landed at the feet of a lawyer, the blooper ended up as a stroke of good luck rather than bad.
Adelfa Almera Greg, who was detained at Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center (BBRC), was at the Municipal Trial Courts in Cities (MTCC) branch 5 yesterday morning for a case of theft.
When her handcuffs were taken off, she allegedly rushed from the courtroom and ran down the staircase.
It was reportedly on top of the curving staircase at the third floor of the Palace of Justice where Greg slipped. She landed at the feet of lawyer Noel Archival.
“Attorney, tabangi ko (help me)!” she cried, according to Archival.
Greg said she was facing a criminal charge of theft for stealing an item worth P41.60 from a department store. She wanted to get out of jail.
She was later released by virtue of an order issued by MTCC 5 Judge Oscar Andrino, with the help of Archival.
Released
Greg was released on recognizance to Archival, who asked the court to let him stand as recognizance because the worth of the item stolen was too small to detain the woman.
Section 13 of the Bill of Rights grants all persons accused of crime to be released on recognizance before conviction, unless the person is charged with “offenses punishable by reclusion perpetua when evidence of guilt is strong.”
A person of good reputation may stand as recognizance on behalf of the accused with the condition that the accused appear for trial.
Outside the Palace of Justice, Greg, handcuffed and escorted by jail guards, looked dazed and talked in a monotone.
She told reporters that it had been at least two weeks since the incident, and that the item stolen was only worth P41.60.
She would not say what the item was, though.
The release order for Greg was set to be effective yesterday. Andrino ordered Greg to appear before the court and submit her counter-affidavit, affidavits of her witnesses and controverting evidence 10 days after receiving the order. (KAB)
