Verdict on Leviste murder case out on 2nd year of business partner's slay

The Makati City Regional Trial Court has set Jan. 15, 2009 as the date on which it is going to issue its verdict on the murder case against former Batangas governor Jose Antonio Leviste.

Accused of killing his own friend and business partner Rafael De las Alas, he admitted to shooting and eventually killing the victim but has maintained that he did so in self-defense.

Leviste surrendered himself to Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz and Mayor Jejomar Binay shortly after the incident on Jan. 12, 2007 in his ninth-floor office at the LPL Towers building in Legaspi Village, Makati City.

In an order received by Senior State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco, Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda said the promulgation of judgment will be at 9 a.m.

The date of the verdict almost coincides with the second death anniversary of the victim, who was shot to death with a .380 caliber handgun.

Velasco said the prosecution presented more than 15 witnesses to prove its case while the defense presented around 10 persons.

Leviste was initially charged with homicide, which was later upgraded to murder after the Department of Justice conducted a re-investigation of the case. – Rhodina Villanueva