CA junks Strunk’s petition for relief in slay case

The Court of Appeals has junked a petition by Roger Lawrence Strunk, principal accused in the killing of his wife, actress Nida Blanca, to stop his arrest and dismiss the case against him for lack of probable cause.

In a resolution dated Sept. 10 and penned by Associate Justice Renato Dacudao, the CA First Division said: "We are not thoroughly convinced that there is an imperative or urgent need" for the issuance of temporary restraining order on the implementation of a warrant of arrest issued against him by Judge Alex Quiroz of the Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 156.

The CA also refused to grant Strunk an "injunctive relief," which means the trial of the case against him can proceed at the Pasig court.

Strunk is currently detained at the Sacramento County Jail in the US. The Department of Justice has formally asked for his extradition.

A US court denied Strunk’s request to be released on bail pending the hearing on the request of the Philippine government for his extradition.

US marshals arrested Strunk, 63, last May 13 in Tracy, California upon the request of the DOJ.

Strunk left on Jan. 10, 2002 and showed no intention to return even after his mother had been buried.

He was accused of masterminding the killing of his wife in November of 2001.

His co-accused, Philip Medel admitted being hired by Strunk to kill Blanca but later on recanted his confession. – Aurea Calica