CA halts Ruby Rose Barrameda murder trial
According to petitioner, Docena refused to inhibit in the case despite that the head of the prosecution panel, State Prosecutor Theodore Villanueva, was his former classmate at the Ateneo Law School.
The said that there is a need to suspend the Barrameda murder case trial considering that the issue of Docena’s inhibition would have a bearing in the case.
“Should we find public respondent (Docena) to have been partial, as claimed by herein petition, then petition as an accused therein, is deprived of his right to an impartial trial,” the CA held.
Last December, the CA issued a TRO on the Barrameda murder trial, which has been running for two years now. The TRO lapsed last month. Barrameda’s body was recovered inside a steel drum in Navotas in 2009—two years after the victim was reported missing. The body was found through witness Manuel Montero, Jimenez’s former employee. Also accused in the case were Barrameda’s husband, Manuel Jimenez, and fishing magnate Lope Jimenez, the victim’s uncle-in-law. The suspects have denied involvement in the killing. Barrameda is the sister of former actress and beauty queen Rochelle Barrameda. - Andreo C. Calonzo/KBK, GMA News