Prosecutors won’t insist on live TV link

DUE to time constraints, prosecution lawyers won’t insist on using live TV links for their child witnesses in the homicide trial of Bella Ruby Santos and British national Ian Charles Griffiths.

In an interview, Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Petronio Elesterio said the trial starts on Tuesday next week.

Regional Trial Court Judge Ester Veloso of Branch 6 earlier denied their request to allow the use of TV live link during trial.

The TV live link would have allowed the minors to be separated from the accused and the lawyers during trial.

Santos’ lawyers are asking the court to allow her to post bail for her temporary liberty.

Defense lawyer Rameses Villagonzalo challenged the prosecution to focus on the trial instead of allegedly sowing rumors against Santos.

Among the allegations against Santos include harassment of prosecution witnesses, alleged payoff to a member of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas, the kidnapping of victim Ellah Joy Pique’s friends, and bribe offers to witnesses.

“The prosecution/task force would be better employed in concentrating their efforts in preparing for the forthcoming trial. Spreading malicious lies and gossip will only return to haunt them,” the defense lawyer said.

Santos and Griffiths are facing 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 body was found dead off a ravine in Barili town, south Cebu, the following day. Santos was arrested last Oct. 7 while Griffiths remains at large. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol