Enough evidence vs condo slay suspect — lawyer

There is enough evidence to hold arrested suspect Philippe Marcelo for trial over the gruesome killing of bank employee Candice Castro, her family’s lawyer said yesterday.

Lawyer Perpetuo Lotilla Jr. has submitted all the pieces evidence that would prove Marcelo’s participation in the Castro rape-slay last May 12.

"We don’t want to preempt the investigation being conducted by the prosecutor, but we believe we have enough evidence to hold Marcelo for trial for rape and homicide charges," Lotilla told reporters.

Manila City Assistant Prosecutor Elseray Faith Noro, who is investigating the rape with homicide charges against Marcelo and Bebs Reyes, has yet to issue a ruling on the case. She ordered Marcelo to submit his counter affidavit on June 11, while Reyes has been summoned for a June 15 and 22 appearance.

Lotilla, along with Castro’s mother Grace, submitted all the pieces of evidence lifted from the crime scene by the Western Police District—Scene of the Crime Operatives (WPD-SOCO).

The lawyer said the evidence included the result of luminal test which showed that bloodstains were traced from Castro’s unit at the 11th floor of the Vellagio Tower to unit 604, which was occupied by Marcelo.

He also noted that fingerprints lifted from the crime matched that of Marcelo, thus bolstering his participation to the crime.

On the other hand, Castro’s lawyers have yet to gather evidence to link Reyes to the killing. He is currently under the custody of the National Bureau of investigation (NBI). — Cecille Suerte Felipe