Marybeth Lopez denies killing husband’s nurse

Businesswoman and socialite Marybeth Lopez de Leon has denied shooting dead her husband’s private nurse and has sought the dismissal of the murder charges filed against her by the victim’s family.

"I am innocent of the crime charged against me. I intend to prove my innocence, however, upon the advice of counsel and consistent with my constitutional right to remain silent, I will reserve the presentation of my defense," De Leon said in her 10-page counter affidavit.

De Leon, a resident of 104 Dao St., Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa, was charged with the murder of Belma Abella, a private nurse of her husband, Jose Vicente Madrigal De Leon, for the past five years.

Prosecutor Mario Mangrobang of the Las Piñas Prosecutor’s Office scheduled the preliminary investigation for yesterday but De Leon, accompanied by her lawyers, appeared in the afternoon of April 30, at the prosecutor’s office to submit her counter-affidavit.

Melanio Mauricio is counsel for complainants, Jansen and Raul Abella, the victim’s eldest son and estranged husband, respectively.

Mangrobang gave the prosecution until May 17 to submit a rejoinder to the suspect’s counter-affidavit. Barring any impediments, Mangrobang told reporters that a decision may be reached by June.

De Leon emphasized in her affidavit that she had no motive to shoot the 55-year-old Abella, whom she has known for 15 years and considered as her "friend and confidant".

She also claimed that the complainants relied "at most on circumstantial evidence, there being no witness who conclusively testified on the actual shooting of Belma."

De Leon said evidence gathered by the police also failed to establish motive on her part. She further argued that "No circumstances are presented or established to legally qualify the shooting as murder."

The suspect, whom her lawyers said "is still in shock", also noted that in the testimony of her driver, Wensis Tablang, the victim did not make any dying declaration that it was she (De Leon) who shot her.

"Belma did not identify me as her assailant," De Leon further said.

De Leon’s lawyer, Jimmy Hofilena and Alex Poblador, said that their client immediately presented herself to the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and turned over the vehicle, upon their advice.

Asked why she did not proceed to the Las Piñas police, Hofilena said they were not aware at that time where the incident took place. – Nikko Dizon