Suspect in car dealer’s slay pleads not guilty

MANILA, Philippines -  An alleged member of the Dominguez carjacking group, identified as one of those who kidnapped and killed car dealer Venson Evangelista in 2011, pleaded not guilty yesterday to the car theft with homicide charges filed against him.

Joel Jacinto, also known as Boy Mekaniko, was arraigned yesterday before Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 215 Judge Maria Rita Sarabia at a makeshift courtroom in the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

Jacinto was among those who were charged in connection with the death of Evangelista, whose charred remains were found in Nueva Ecija in January 2011. Other suspects in the case are alleged hitman Rolando Talban, brothers Raymond and Roger Dominguez, and Jayson Miranda.

Jacinto was arrested by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents in Las Piñas City on Dec. 13, 2012.

Earlier reports said Jacinto was the one who posed as a car mechanic when the Dominguez gang kidnapped Evangelista and another car dealer, Emerson Lozano.

Slain star witness Alfred Mendiola, who earlier admitted his participation in crime, identified Jacinto as the one who pointed a gun at Evangelista during the test drive of a vehicle they were supposed to buy from the victim.

Talban, who was identified by Mendiola as the one who shot Evangelista, denied the allegation and implicated Jacinto in the killing of the car dealer.

But upon his arrest, Jacinto reportedly denied Talban’s allegations and confirmed Mendiola’s statement.

Interviewed by The STAR last month, Evangelista’s father Arsenio said Jacinto confirmed that he pointed a gun at Venson but claimed that it was not cocked and loaded.

Jacinto is currently detained at the NBI headquarters in Manila.

Following Jacinto’s arraignment, the court held the joint pre-trial conference for the accused. The start of the presentation of prosecution witnesses was set on March 21.

The trial will be held at the NBP compound where Raymond, who has been convicted for a separate carjacking case, is currently detained.