'Embalmer to prove conspiracy in massacre'

MANILA, Philippines - Government prosecutors yesterday failed to present a witness in the Maguindanao massacre case following an argument with the defense during resumption of the trial at the Quezon City regional trial court.

State Prosecutor Olivia Torrevillas said witness Junito Puton, 37, an embalmer, will prove the conspiracy among all the accused in the massacre.

Puton was the one who embalmed one of the victims, lawyer Cynthia Oquendo, and recovered her cell phone which was turned over to the authorities.

The defense led by lawyer Philip Sigfrid Fortun told Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes that Puton should not be presented as witness since he is not in the pre-approved list of witnesses.

However, Torrevillas insisted and asked the court to allow their witness to testify.

The court then allowed the prosecution that the “witness be presented in connection with the evidence in chief.”

With the understanding that the testimony of the witness will not involve any of their clients, Fortun and other members of the defense team stepped out of the court.

The miscommunication between the prosecution and defense led to the suspension of the proceedings.