A peanut vendor was found guilty of theft in an absentee trial and was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
Judge Estella Alma Singco of Regional Trial Court Branch 12 found Admond Ramoya guilty of the crime after he failed to show up in court to present evidence for his defense.Ramoya did not anymore appear in court despite several notices sent to him.
Singco said she was constrained to continue the trial of the case and decided to rely on the evidence presented by the prosecution.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Phitcy Villariasa who accused Ramoya of snatching her necklace while she was walking along P. del Rosario Street in the afternoon of March 30, 2007.
Villariasa reported the incident to the Carbon Police Station which resulted to Ramoya’s arrest during a follow-up operation.
The accused posted bail and after his arraignment during which he pleaded not guilty, he did not anymore appear in court. — Fred P. Languido/LPM