Court junks Strunk’s bid to escape raps

A motion filed by Rod Strunk, the alleged mastermind in the slaying of his wife, veteran actress Nida Blanca, to dismiss murder charges was junked yesterday by the Pasig regional trial court (RTC).

Judge Alex Quiroz, of RTC branch 156 dismissed for lack of merit the arguments raised by Strunk’s lawyers, who failed to attend the hearing yesterday.

The prosecution has claimed it would present 43 witnesses to prove that Strunk and co-accused Philip Medel had conspired to kill Blanca, Dorothy Jones in real life. Medel attended the hearing at 10 a.m. yesterday, accompanied by his lawyer Salvador Panelo.

Lori Uson, clerk of court officer-in-charge (OIC) said both the prosecution and the defense agreed to waive the pre-trial of the case. But both parties submitted their evidence for markings, Uson said.

Uson said the hearing of the case has been set for July 8, 15, 22 and Aug. 5, 12 and 19.

Strunk was arrested in the US last month. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently working for his extradition.

Earlier, the US court denied Strunk’s motion to post bail.

Panelo claimed that they have at least 15 witnesses to present who will prove that Medel is innocent of the charges filed against him.

Medel had owned up Blanca’s killing but later retracted, claiming he was tortured by police to admit the crime.

Panelo expressed confidence Medel would be cleared of the charges because the prosecution would have difficulty linking his client to Blanca’s death.

Blanca was found dead inside her green Nissan Sentra at the parking area of the Atlante Towers in Greenhills, San Juan on Nov. 7, 2001.– Non Alquitran