Facing life in prison without the possibility of parole on allegations of murder and rape, Brandon Michael Acosta’s fate will be left up to a jury to decide.
The trial of Brandon Michael Acosta was stopped in its tracks as the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of GovGuam including the Superior Court of Guam. The last we heard about the trial, the government had rested its case and Acosta’s attorney William Pole had filed a motion for judgment of acquittal, arguing that under the law, the government did not meet its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
In court Monday, Superior Court Judge Vernon Perez entertained the motion and gave an oral order to move the case forward with the jury.
Attorney Pole says that the court sided with the government to let the jury decide, clarifying that Judge Perez clearly did not grant the motion, however, he can’t say it was denied either.
Pole says he took that to mean that pursuant to the statute, the jury can decide, and then the judge can make his decision after the jury.
Acosta is facing murder and rape charges in the death of 15-year-old Timicca Nauta The teen was discovered slain in her Dededo makeshift home two years ago.
With trial moving, the court is now figuring out the logistics of how to proceed. Pole says that a hearing has been set for June 30th to work through the procedural issues.
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