Makati court sets weekly hearings for Leviste murder case

The Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) has set a weekly hearing on the murder case against former Batangas governor Jose Antonio Leviste starting October 24, in connection with the killing of his long-time aide. Makati RTC Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda said the hearings for the presentation of evidence by the defense panel are slated from October 24 to December 12. Leviste’s lawyers said they intend to present eight witnesses – including six people who were Leviste’s former employees – to prove the former Batangas governor’s innocence on charges that he murdered his aide, Rafael Delas Alas, last January 12 Leviste has admitted killing Delas Alas after a heated argument but claimed that he acted in self-defense. On the other hand, the prosecution panel led by Senior State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco said they would no longer present any additional evidence aside from those already presented during the bail hearing against Leviste. “There is no need to present any evidence as we had already done it during the bail hearing. We had indicated it before Judge Elmo Alameda of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150," Velasco said. Velasco said they have previously presented police investigators, physicians, Delas Alas’ daughter, Dina and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay as witnesses. He maintained that the testimonies issued by the prosecution witnesses indicated that there was “premeditation, treachery and cruelty" in the manner by which Leviste killed Delas Alas. - GMANews.TV