CEBU, Philippines - One of the accused in the killing of Carcar City Mayor Nicepuro Apura’s youngest son pleaded not guilty to the crime.
Assisted by a public attorney, Jethro Lapiña denied the charges and claimed he was innocent.
“Wa ko kahibaw…Wa koy labot adto (I don’t know. I never participated in the crime),” he said during an interview after the arraignment.
It was the second scheduled arraignment after the first was reset.
Trenia, sister of the accused, told the media her brother was innocent. She claimed it was impossible for her brother to participate considering they were together the whole night on May 13, 2012.
Jethro’s mother, Warlita, corroborated the testimony of her daughter and said her son was innocent.
During the proceedings, Apura was very emotional.
He said he had mixed emotions and cannot bear looking at the accused. Though he wore sunglasses, he was noticeably crying.
His counsel, Democrito Barcenas, said the other eight alleged assailants have been dropped from the complaint sheet pending reinvestigation.
They are Jewish Lapiña, Glenn Cinco alias Impiong, James Ali Castañares, Jay Castañares, Zig Abarquez, Demosthenes Abarquez alias Dugo, Rizal Cayme alias Izal and a certain Jetto.
Barcenas said if the prosecutor finds probable cause to establish their participation over the case, they will be indicted for murder.
To recall, Mayor Apura’s youngest son, Carl Vinson, was shot dead on May 13, 2012, while attending a disco party in Sitio Upper Tubod, Barangay Valladolid, Carcar City.
A witness said that while watching the dance, he noticed a man dancing and roaming around which he later knew as Jhayboy Lauron.
He said Jhayboy shot Carl Vinson who was being hugged by Jethro.
Earlier, Jhayboy pleaded not guilty to the crime.