By Rolynda Jonathan
Koror, Palau – On Tuesday October 16, 2012, Palau’s first jury trial came to an end when the jury found Amador Misech aka Amador Osima guilty of second-degree murder, not guilty of attempted robbery and not guilty for first-degree murder.
The first jury trial lasted several weeks where a number of testimonies were heard and evidence presented. Richard Delarosa, one of many witnesses who made their testimonies during the trial identified the defendant as the person he witnessed holding a machete during the initial stages of police investigation.
The Attorney General’s office released a statement on Wednesday October 17 to the media saying that the victim’s husband and family were pleased with the outcome of the case. The Attorney General’s office also commended the work of the Bureau of Public Safety including the Transnational Crime Unit and the Australian Federal Police for their assistance in providing expert testimony and testing of items related to the case.
Misech was on trial for the hacking murder of Virginia Galo in June of last year. A sentencing hearing will be set when Chief Justice Arthur Ngiraklsong returns from his trip off-island.