Video of ex-US Marine’s fatal beating shown in court

MANILA, Philippines - Public prosecutors presented yesterday in court a portion of a video clip, taken by a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera, allegedly showing the fatal beating of former United States Marine George Anikow in Makati City on Nov. 24.

Lawyers representing four men accused of beating and stabbing Anikow, 41, whose wife is a US diplomat, questioned the credibility of the clip, prompting Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 59 Judge Winlove Dumayas to ask the Rockwell Center security that the original CCTV footage be surrendered to the court.

On Wednesday, Juan Alfonzo Abastillas, 24; Crispin dela Paz, 28; Osric Cabrera, 27; and Galicano Datu III, a student of the De La Salle University, pleaded not guilty.

Before the clip was shown in court, prosecution lawyers presented Damasino Dosonan, Jr., the detachment commander of the Rockwell Center to authenticate the video clip. Dosonan testified he received a letter from the Makati police asking for a copy of the CCTV footage of the incident.

Assistant Chief Prosecutor Hannah Arriola then asked the court if the video clip could then be shown.

Dela Paz’s lawyer, Jacinto Ende, questioned the clip’s authenticity. Ende argued that what was about to be shown in court is just a copy of the original CCTV security video.

Abastillas’ lawyer, Miguel Damaso, also argued that while the defense lawyers have the same copy of the video footage, this does not warrant its authenticity. He asked the court if they could be allowed to compare the CCTV footage with the one in their possession.

Dumayas then allowed the showing of the video clip on condition that both the defense and prosecution panels later compare it with the original footage, which remains with the Rockwell Center security. Dumayas asked that Rockwell Center surrender the original CCTV footage when the hearing resumes next year.