By NITZ ARANCON
PROSECUTORS lost much of the evidence needed to win a conviction against suspected Australian pedophile Peter Scully as a result of the January fire that destroyed the Hall of Justice here.
Prosecutor Charisse Galarita Bitoon has confirmed that there was no more “object evidence” in the human trafficking, and child abuse case filed against Scully being heard by Judge Jose Escobido of the Regional Trial Court Branch 37.
The January fire destroyed the computer hardware, memory card, camera, computer monitor, video recorder, and chain that were allegedly used by Scully in abusing two children at Apovel Subdivision in Bulua, this city, in September 2014.
Scully’s lawyer Jose Alejandro Pallugna withdrew his motion for the production of object evidence last week because of the revelation. He was then directed by the judge to submit a judicial affidavit this week that would be used as basis for a court ruling on the Scully case.
Judge Escobido scheduled the next hearing of the case on Nov. 10.
Scully was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Malaybalay City after it filed a case of human trafficking and child abuse against him and his girlfriend. He was also linked to the murder of a child in Surigao but no case was filed against him in connection with the discovery of a girl’s remains buried in a house in the Caraga city.
Pallugna said he would present four witnesses in court to prove Scully’s innocence. (nitz arancon)
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