Murder suspect recants, pleads not guilty in court ‘NOT guilty.’

This was the plea of 28-year-old barber Lyndon Horandoy when he was arraigned in court yesterday morning.

Horandoy retracted his earlier statement to the police admitting his role in the Jan. 6, 2009, killing of Assistant City Prosecutor Patrick Osorio.

His lawyer Daryll Roque Amante, in an interview, said he will move for the dismissal of the case.

He said Cebu City Prosecutor Nicolas Sellon was the one who recommended the filing of charges and that Sellon, who the victim’s boss, should keep his hands off the case.

But based on records, Sellon did not recommend the filing of the charges against Horandoy and his alleged cohort Allan Sinogat.

Records show that Sellon also inhibited himself from handling the case in 2009.

Sinogat was arrested in July 2009 while Horandoy, a barber, was arrested last Aug. 30 in barangay Guba, Cebu City.

Police said Horandoy executed an extra-judicial confession owning up to the gunslaying.

Horanday told Cebu Daily News the confession was made without the presence of a lawyer.

He said he was forced to sign a statement prepared by the police to hasten the resolution of the nearly 3-year-old case. The pre-trial conference will be on Dec. 19. ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL