More evidence against suspected serial killer

ANGELES CITY – Government prosecutors and the city police on Monday assured the public that they have a strong case against suspected serial killer Mark Dizon, which they expect would merit a conviction.
In a case conference held at the City Hall with Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, Assistant City Prosecutor Allan Pasamonte, together with Angeles City Police Office (ACPO) director Danilo Bautista presented additional evidence to the mayor that will be used by the prosecution in court as soon as the trial resumes in March.
The city mayor said during the meeting that a recent news report about Dizon going to be acquitted is “misleading the public”.
“Our police have collected very strong evidence against Mark Dizon,” Pamintuan said. He even brushed aside speculations that the suspect will soon be released from jail.
Among the five cases filed against Dizon — which include nine counts of murder, illegal possession of firearms, and robbery — only one is being heard in court.
“The only reason for delay is because the judge assigned to the case has been on leave due to surgery,” the mayor said.
Regional Trial Court Branch 58 Judge Philbert Iturralde, who is handling Dizon’s case, went on sick leave on September 20 to prepare for a surgical operation to remove a mass in his back.
According to court personnel, the judge is not scheduled to report for duty until January 20 and is set to continue hearing the case on March 14.
Iturralde originally planned to conduct a marathon hearing on Dizon’s case, pursuant to an old Supreme Court memorandum circular, as the case involves the murder of a foreign national and therefore has international significance.
According to Pasamonte, it is impossible for Mark Dizon to be acquitted, even for his theft case alone.
“We’ve got a lot of strong evidence and witnesses who are willing to testify against Dizon. The mayor is even willing to testify in court against him,” Pasamonte said.
City Prosecutor Oliver Garcia, who was also present in yesterday’s meeting, said the cases filed against Dizon are non-bailable and that plea bargaining is out of the question.
The city mayor, the prosecutor and the local police appealed to the public not to worry about Dizon getting out of jail. They even encouraged them to see the trial of Dizon for themselves, as it would be held open to the public.
The case against Dizon is related to the robbery and massacre of retired US Air Force Master Sergeant Albert Mitchell, 70, former commander of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 2485 here; his wife Janet, 53; helpers Isabel Fajardo, 29, and Marissa Prado, 29; and family driver Yulberto Catli in Hensonville Court Subdivision in Barangay Malabanias, this city, on July 22, 2010.
The police also tagged Dizon as the suspect in the murder of Briton James Bolton Porter, 51, and his live-in partner Melissa Madarang, 22, in Sta. Maria Subdivision, Barangay Balibago on July 16 and Canadian Geoffrey Allan Bennun, 60, and his live-in partner Abegail Helina, 20, inside their house at the Clarkville Compound, Barangay Anunas on July 12, 2010.
But Dizon has not been charged for these cases due to insufficient evidence linking him to the murders.
Dizon pleaded not guilty during his arraignment for theft and five counts of murder on August 2. (Reynaldo G. Navales)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/more-evidence-against-suspected-serial-killer

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