Court gives lawyer another chance to prove innocence

The Regional Trial Court has given controversial lawyer Daryl Amante one more chance to present evidence for his defense in his frustrated homicide case.

Judge Eric Menchavez has reconsidered his decision to waive Amante’s right to present evidence for his defense following the lawyer’s non-appearance in the scheduled hearing of the case last September 20.

Amante has sought reprieve from the court the afternoon following his failure to attend trial. The trial was scheduled at 8:30 a.m., but Amante appeared in court past noontime.

Amante reportedly had another hearing in Badian the same time he was scheduled to appear in Menchavez’ sala, that’s why he failed to appear in the Cebu City court. The next hearing of the case is scheduled on November 15.

In 2003, prosecutors charged Amante of frustrated homicide for shooting a 21-year-old neighbor. The trial of the case was stalled when, May this year, Amante told the court he had to undergo further medical treatment and procedures after he met a car accident the month before.

He said he needed more days to rest and to have his eye operated on, which would need a month and a half for him to recuperate. He reportedly has not been reporting to his cases in court because of the accident.

Based on the medical certificate he submitted to court, Amante had suffered serious injuries, including that on his eyes, face, and other parts of his body. His driver, Allan Garcia, had reportedly died on the spot.

Victim Owen Veraque had said that evening on December 9, 2002, that he and his two friends were at the back of Amante’s house and were seated on the concrete fishpond when they saw the lawyer come out of his house with a gun and approached them.

Veraque said his two friends immediately ran away but he stayed for he never suspected that Amante was after him because he believed they did not do anything wrong. He said he also was not familiar of Amante’s attitude for that was the first time that he was near his house.

The next thing he saw, Veraque said, was Amante already pointing his gun at him. Veraque was shot in the head once, although witnesses said the lawyer fired his gun thrice.

Amante had denied the allegations, claiming he had been a victim of robbers over 20 times. He said robbers and gang members often pass by his place in Quiot-Pardo, Cebu City. — Joeberth M. Ocao/MEEV