2007.06.03: June 3, 2007: Headlines: COS - Philippines: Safety: Crime: Murder: Journalism: INQ7.net: Juan Donald Duntugan, the primary suspect in the killing of Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell, is expected to fight it out in court despite a supposed confession he issued to police
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2007.06.03: June 3, 2007: Headlines: COS - Philippines: Safety: Crime: Murder: Journalism: INQ7.net: Juan Donald Duntugan, the primary suspect in the killing of Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell, is expected to fight it out in court despite a supposed confession he issued to police
Juan Donald Duntugan, the primary suspect in the killing of Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell, is expected to fight it out in court despite a supposed confession he issued to police
In his sworn statement, Duntugan, 24, admitted killing Campbell in a sudden rage, hitting her with a rock after he thought the victim was his neighbor, Emiliano Blas, whom he described as his long-time enemy. Seeing the victim fall unconscious, Duntugan said he dragged her body near a cliff and hit her again with a piece of firewood. He left the body but returned about three hours later to drag it into a creek to bury it. A lawyer, who asked not to be named for ethical reasons, said Duntugan’s move of hiring private counsel as a last-minute replacement for a lawyer from the Public Attorney’s Office indicated that he was gearing up for a fierce legal battle. “We have a case here. It’s a sign he will fight it out,” said the lawyer. Duntugan’s mother, Jane, said family members decided to hire the private lawyer amid concerns that his supposed confession might have aggravated his chances of getting a fair judgment from the court. The Inquirer source, who is familiar with the details of the case, said the defense lawyer could focus on whether Duntungan’s confession should be admitted by the court as part of the prosecution evidence.
Juan Donald Duntugan, the primary suspect in the killing of Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell, is expected to fight it out in court despite a supposed confession he issued to police
Campbell slay suspect gearing up for ‘fierce’ legal battle
By Melvin Gascon
Inquirer
Last updated 02:15am (Mla time) 06/03/2007
LAGAWE, Ifugao, Philippines—Juan Donald Duntugan, the primary suspect in the killing of US Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell, is expected to fight it out in court despite a supposed confession he issued to police.
His lawyer, Pedro Mayam-o, said the defense would focus on Duntungan’s sworn statement following the Banaue woodcarver’s surrender on April 27. The statement was part of the evidence prosecutors used in filing the murder charge against the suspect.
Campbell disappeared while trekking the Banaue rice terraces in Barangay Batad on April 8. Her decomposing body was found 10 days later, buried in a shallow grave in the village.
Sudden rage
In his sworn statement, Duntugan, 24, admitted killing Campbell in a sudden rage, hitting her with a rock after he thought the victim was his neighbor, Emiliano Blas, whom he described as his long-time enemy.
Seeing the victim fall unconscious, Duntugan said he dragged her body near a cliff and hit her again with a piece of firewood. He left the body but returned about three hours later to drag it into a creek to bury it.
A lawyer, who asked not to be named for ethical reasons, said Duntugan’s move of hiring private counsel as a last-minute replacement for a lawyer from the Public Attorney’s Office indicated that he was gearing up for a fierce legal battle.
“We have a case here. It’s a sign he will fight it out,” said the lawyer.
Duntugan’s mother, Jane, said family members decided to hire the private lawyer amid concerns that his supposed confession might have aggravated his chances of getting a fair judgment from the court.
The Inquirer source, who is familiar with the details of the case, said the defense lawyer could focus on whether Duntungan’s confession should be admitted by the court as part of the prosecution evidence.
Mayam-o declined to comment on the lawyer’s statement but expressed confidence he would be able to contest the prosecution’s allegation that the killing was attended by treachery and cruelty as qualifying circumstances for murder.
Police said Duntugan was assisted by a lawyer throughout the investigation.
On Tuesday, Mayam-o asked Judge Esther Piscoso-Flor of the Regional Trial Court Branch 34 to defer Duntugan’s arraignment, saying he needed more time to study the case.
More time
“Considering the sensitivity of this case and the fact that I have just been engaged by my client, I would need more time to go over the details of the charges,” he said.
Provincial Prosecutor Joseph Tumapang, who appeared for the prosecution on Tuesday along with Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Hilario Tilan, did not object to the postponement.
Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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