Nida Blanca’s daughter set to help prosecution

Kaye Torres, the lone daughter of murdered actress Nida Blanca, is set to question the motion by the lawyers of primary suspect Philip Medel calling for the dismissal of the nine-month old case.

Torres’ lawyer, former Justice Harriet Demetriu, told reporters yesterday that she intends to oppose Medel’s motion to dismiss on Monday next week, when the Department of Justice starts preliminary investigation of the celebrated murder case of the actress, Dorothy Jones in real life.

"As a private prosecutor, I will file an opposition to the motion to dismiss filed by the (Medel’s) lawyers," she said.

Demetriu accompanied Torres, the actress’ personal assistant Elena dela Pas and other members of the family in a case conference with top officials of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) headed by Director Nesterio Gualberto and representatives of the justice department.

The group reviewed yesterday morning the video tapes that showed Medel during the initial investigation at the DOJ where he verbally retracted his confession that detailed how he killed Jones on the morning of Nov. 7 at the parking lot of the Atlanta Center along Connecticut Avenue, Greenhills in San Juan.

They conferred with members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) later in the day to map out strategy to strengthen their stance in the preliminary investigation of the case on Aug. 12 next week.

Gualberto also requested two television networks to provide the CIDG with the video clips of Medel, admitting to the killing, prior to his "retraction." Sources revealed the video clips could be used to further bolster the case against Medel.

Investigators noted that Medel never formalized through writing or affidavit his retraction.

Chief Superintendent Jesus Versosa, CIDG deputy director for administration, expressed belief that the case is stronger now that the investigators have additional statements of other witnesses, including former Army Maj. Pates and Nilo Gonzaga, that Medel confided to them separately about his plan to kill Blanca.

Another witness reportedly submitted his affidavit to the NBI, bolstering Pates and Gonzaga’s claims that Medel informed them individually about the murder.

During their stay at the Sidico Apartment in Kamias, Quezon City, the witnesses claimed Medel also asked them separately if they could hire an assassin who could do the job for him. – Christina Mendez