Families of victims, suspect clash at arraignment on 2016 Laguna parricide case

The arraignment on the 2016 Laguna parricide case was marked by tension as families of the suspect and the victims clashed at the Sta. Rosa Regional Trial Court.

The prime suspect Ricardo Sta. Ana pleaded “not guilty” to masterminding the brutal murder of his wife Pearl and their son Denzel, according to a Thursday report on 24 Oras by John Consulta. 

As Sta. Ana was being led into the courtroom, an unidentified person smacked the back of his head.

After the arraignment, the suspect was trailed by the family of the victims as he was transported by authorities back to the vehicle.

"Mamamatay tao ka! Pinatay mo ate ko! Hayop ka! Mabubulok ka sa kulungan! Pati pamangkin ko dinamay mo! One year old pa lang yun!” one relative said.

Tensions between the two families intensified after the father of Sta. Ana shoved people who were attempting to take photos and videos of his son.

“Bawal yan! Ha? Siya ‘yung nanulak! Tinulak niya kami pababa ng hagdan!" one relative of the victims said.

A star witness who surfaced at the courtroom said the mother and child were hammered to death by two suspects, Ramoncito Gallo and Bryan Avistado, on the orders of Sta. Ana.

In March 2016, Pearl’s body was found tied up and showed signs of rape.

Meanwhile, one-year-old Denzel was hammered on the spine.

The alleged middleman between the two killers and Sta. Ana, alias “Jojo,” alleged that Sta. Ana ordered the hitmen to commit the crime because of jealousy.

“Gusto raw niya maramdaman ‘yung sakit na ginawa ng asawa ng babae sa kanila,” he recalled.

“Sabi ko, e bakit pati ‘yung bata idadamay mo pa? Tumingin ako kay Ramon. Anong alam ng bata eh bata ‘yun? Kaya nga kailangan daw niya ay ‘yung halang ang kaluluwa.”

Authorities said the case against Sta. Ana is airtight as CCTV footage showed him meeting up with the two hitmen on the day of the crime, while another video showed the suspects pretending to be internet repairmen. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News