‘Nicole’ returns to witness stand today

A 22-year-old woman who has accused four US Marines of rape was set to keep testifying today after a breakdown delayed her return to the witness stand, prosecution lawyers said.

The Zamboanga native, whose court-assigned pseudonym is Nicole, on Thursday identified Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith as the US Marine who allegedly raped her on Nov. 1.

Before she could provide details of the alleged assault, she broke down, prompting the judge to adjourn the hearing until Friday.

Prosecutors have said Lance Cpl. Keith Silkwood, Lance Cpl. Dominic Duplantis and Staff Sgt. Chad Carpentier cheered Smith on as the rape took place inside a moving van at the Subic Bay free port, a former US Naval base.

Nicole failed to appear in court on Friday. Her psychiatrist, Dr. June Pagaduan Lopez, said her client was "re-traumatized" after spending nearly three hours on the witness stand, where she broke down several times.

Lawyer Evalyn Ursua said her client had expressed readiness to continue her testimony today.

"Nicole has already recovered from the stress and fatigue and she said that she is prepared even for the cross-examination of the defense counsels," Ursua said. — AP