Shoemaker gets life term for slay

CEBU - A shoemaker was found guilty of murder by the court yesterday after his victim named him as his attacker.

Arnold Canaya was found guilty of murder for killing his fellow shoemaker Alenjun Dimaunahan last October 16, 1999.

Witnesses said Dimaunahan was in the middle of singing a song at a karaoke bar when Canaya suddenly appeared and shot him on the night of Oct. 16, 1999.

Dimaunahan died several days later, but it was only five months later, on March 27, 2000, when Canaya was arrested.

Canaya denied having committed the crime, but Dimaunahan’s mother said her son mentioned Canaya’s alias, “Tisoy”, in a moment of consciousness before he died.

Regional Trial Court Branch 58 Judge Gilbert Moises gave credence to the positive identification made by the victim over the defenses of denial and alibi. He found Canaya guilty of murder and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Moises also ordered Canaya to pay P50,000 to Dimaunahan’s heirs, his live-in partner Gina Lauza who is a sandal-maker, and their two adolescent children. — Jasmin R. Uy/BRP   (THE FREEMAN)