Wednesday, August 06, 2008 Leviste to present cop as witness
FORMER Batangas governor Jose Antonio Leviste accused of murdering his aide Rafael de las Alas last year is set to present a police officer as his first witness when the defense starts its presentation during Wednesday's hearing before the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC).
Leviste's lawyer, Henry Capela, said they will present as their first witness Police Officer 1 Michael Evangelista to rebut the testimonies of prosecution witnesses who told the court about a demolition on a lot owned by the former governor in Parañaque City.
The police officer, the defense said, provided security during the demolition.
Earlier, Senior State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco presented several witnesses, who were residents of a lot in Parañaque owned by Leviste who told the court that the former local official badmouthed them while the demolition was ongoing.
They also told the court that a resident died in the same incident while several others were reportedly hurt.
Aside from Evangelista, three other witnesses will be presented before the sala of Makati RTC-Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda for the 8:30 a.m. hearing if there is enough time to corroborate Evangelista's testimonies, Capela said.
"Our witness will basically prove the lie in the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses. Aside from telling the court all those lies, their testimonies amount to nothing," Capela said.
He said their rebuttal witnesses will "prove not only Leviste's innocence but also their lying."
He added that once they were able to prove that the prosecution witnesses are not telling the truth then they would file the necessary charges against them.
Reached for comment, Velasco is unfazed by the defense witnesses as he said he is ready for the hearing.
"Yes we are ready to cross-examine their sur-rebuttal witnesses. Leviste said lies could not surprise the truth on the contrary it pays to prepare to cross-examine liars because we must remember that even the Devil can quote the Bible. We are prepared to once again meet their lies, specifically Leviste acted in self-defense," said Velasco, adding that the evidence including the gunshot wounds in de las Alas's forearm indicates it was he who was in a self-defense mode.
During last week's hearing, Alameda decided to postpone the defense's presentation after the prosecution said they were not furnished the list of the witnesses earlier.
"We asked for a reset because we don't want to play by their rules. I do not want to be caught unprepared," Velasco said referring to Leviste and his lawyers.
Aside from the policeman, Leviste said he will present at least 44 witnesses including Velasco's father, former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director and Cavite governor Epimaco Velasco as well as Makati Police Chief Gilbert Cruz and reporters from GMA-7, ABS-CBN-2 and several national dailies.
Leviste said he wanted to hear the elder Velasco himself confirm or deny his son's allegation that he had met with the former Cavite governor in an alleged attempt to influence him. (AH/Sunnex)
