The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday commended the Tarlac judge who issued a guilty verdict against dismissed policeman Jonel Nuezca, who brutally killed his two neighbors last December.
Judge Stela Marie Gandia-Asuncion of the Paniqui, Tarlac Regional Trial Court Branch 106 on Thursday sentenced Nuezca to reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years in prison for each count of murder.
She also ordered Nuezca to pay the heirs of the victims, Sonia and Frank Anthony Gregorio, almost P1 million in damages.
Nuezca fatally shot the mother and son after a heated argument over a “boga” explosion and right of way last December 20.
According to the SC, Asuncion resolved the consolidated murder cases two months ahead of the 10-month deadline for hearing and deciding criminal cases.
“I congratulate Judge Stela Marie Gandia-Asuncion for her swift and efficient resolution of the murder cases raffled to her,” said Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo.
“The timely resolution of cases is both a constitutional mandate and a key aspect in the delivery of justice. May her example inspire all of us to continue working towards a judiciary that is both receptive and responsive to the needs of our citizenry and the community.”
The judge heard a total of eight witnesses, five for the prosecution, and three for the defense, including Nuezca, who testified through videoconferencing from the detention facility.
“Judge Gandia-Asuncion could have promulgated the decision even earlier were it not for the two separate forced lockdowns of her court and of the Office of the Prosecutor due to the COVID-19 infections,” the SC Public Information Office said.
“She gave the defense two additional trial dates in June, and rescheduled the promulgation to August, which was well within the period prescribed by the Guidelines for Continuous Trial in Criminal Cases.” — DVM, GMA News
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