Fiscals: Evidence vs 'serial killer' still circumstantial

ANGELES CITY, Philippines – Government prosecutors yesterday admitted that the evidence against suspected serial killer Mark Dizon have all been “circumstantial” so far, but said he could be pinned down on theft charges.

“We have presented 10 witnesses and six sworn testimonies of other witnesses, but so far, all we have against the suspect are circumstantial. The murder weapon is missing, and there is not a single witness who saw him actually commit the crimes,” prosecutor Allan Pasamonte said in an interview before another hearing on the multiple murder and theft cases against Dizon at the Regional Trial Court Branch 59 here yesterday.

Pasamonte said the theft case would be based on the laptops and other items seized from Dizon.

While waiting for the hearing to start, Dizon, 28, who was in handcuffs, told The STAR that he was a mere “fall guy” in the killings of three foreigners and their six Filipino companions in this city last July.

Dizon was tagged in the killing of US Air Force M/Sgt. Albert Mitchell, 70, and his wife Janet and their house helpers Isabel Fajardo, Marissa Prado and Yulberto Catli in their home at Hensonville Court Subdivision in Barangay Malabanias last July 22.

Pasamonte, however, said Dizon has yet to be charged for the killings of South African national Geoffrey Allan Bennun, 60, and his live-in partner, Abegail Helina, 20, in their house at Oasis Hotel and Villas in Clarkville Compound in Barangay Anunas here last July 12, as well as that of Briton James Bolton Porter, 51, and his live-in partner, Melissa Madarang, 22, also in their house in Barangay Balibago last July 16.

“There is no evidence to link me to the crimes. The incidents occurred in subdivisions where sentries normally list down the names of guests, and my name does not even appear in any of their logbooks,” Dizon said.

He added that even the supposed closed circuit television camera that was initially reported to have recorded his presence at the Clarkville Compound turned out to be non-existent.

Pasamonte said that while the murder evidence against Dizon have so far all been merely circumstantial, he expressed hope that he would still be able to “weave” the evidence and testimonies to pin him down in the killings.