Fiscals seeking live TV link for Ellah Joy witnesses

Prosecutors in the Ellah Joy homicide case sought the court’s permission to use live-link TV during the questioning of their two female minor witnesses.

“Given their age and level of development, there is that likelihood that they can be subjected to trauma and fear during intense questioning from either counsels,” said the public prosecutors in their pleading.

If their petition is approved, the two minors will testify inside the court chamber while the judge, lawyers, respondent and spectators will stay inside the courtroom.

Without the live TV link, the prosecutors said the fear and pressure on the minors may prevent them from expressing themselves effectively and distort their testimonies.

Cebu City is one of three cities in the country with live TV links, the others being the cities of Makati and Davao.

In Cebu City, it is the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 22 that houses the live TV link facilities that were donated by the United Nations Children’s Fund (formerly United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund).

The request is pending before Judge Ester Veloso of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 6.

In an interview, Assistant City Prosecutor Petronio Elesterio said the two witnesses would be placed inside the chamber where a television and a camera are installed.  The witnesses will be assisted by two persons inside the chamber.

The lawyers and the judge can view and listen to answers of the witnesses through two TV sets inside the courtroom.

The respondents, Bella Ruby Santos and her British partner Ian Charles Griffiths, face charges of kidnapping with homicide in relation to the death of 6-year-old Ellah Joy Pique.

Ellah was kidnapped  outside the Calajo-an Elementary School in Minglanilla town last Feb. 8.

Her remains were found off a ravine in Barili town, south Cebu, the following day. Bella was arrested in a mall in Manila last Oct. 7 while Griffiths remains at large. Defense lawyers are asking the court to allow Santos to post bail for her temporary liberty.

Prosecutors said they have strong evidence against Santos.

They also opposed the petition for bail, saying this would enable Bella to hide anew.

“It should be emphasized that Santos went into hiding immediately after the issuance of the warrant of arrest by  the court,” the prosecutors said.

A case conference was held yesterday inside the office of Cebu Provincial Prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol