US wants 'heaviest possible penalty' vs Campbell killer

A US Embassy official on Wednesday visited the Department of Justice office in Manila to “follow up" on the killing of US Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell, telling local officials that they want the “heaviest possible penalty". Radio station dzBB reported that US Embassy legal attaché Steven Cutler paid a call on Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño. Zuño said Cutler asked about the progress of the case and relayed "concerns" that the charge against self-confessed killer Juan Dontugan may end up being homicide instead of murder. Zuño said he assured Cutler that the justice department is "doing its job" but that it will be up to the Philippine government's prosecutor to weigh the evidence. Campbell, who was reported missing after going hiking in Ifugao last April 8, was found dead April 18. Dontugan surrendered one week later, saying he killed her after he mistook the Peace Corps volunteer for his enemy when she bumped into him from behind. -GMANews.TV