People v. Shimizu

CourtSuperior Court of Guam
DecidedFebruary 7, 2018
DocketCM0388-17
StatusUnknown

This text of People v. Shimizu (People v. Shimizu) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Superior Court of Guam primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
People v. Shimizu, (superctguam 2018).

Opinion

FILEQu =~'F3'OP <2 HT

fuss FEB -7 AH ll= H

E *Mr Qu posum -2 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF GUAM

THE PEOPLE OF GUAM, Superior Court Case No. CM0388-17

plaintiff, FINDWGSOF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS vs. OF LAW

GERALD A. S HIMIZU,

Defendant. I

I I I

The people of Guam charge Defendant Gerald A. Shimizu with Harassment (as a Petty

Misdemeanor ). The Court held a bench trial on January 4, 2018.1 Having evaluated the

evidence an applicable law, the Court finds Shimizu GUILTY of Harassment (as a Petty

Mlsdemeano

I. BAC GROUND

Folloilvin the People's chargeof Harassment, Shimizu waived his right to a speedy tn°al.

Magistrate's Con pl. (July 5, 2017); Waiver of Speedy Trial (July 28, 2017). During the bench • I | I trial, Emman el Mangune, Jr., Dlosdado Magblta Mangune, Phoebe Estela Bautlsta Tadeo and

GPD OfficerBeltran D. Tosco testified. At the end oftrial, the Court took the matter under

advisement.

11. FINlINGS OF FACT In pr reedings where the Court serves as the trier of fact, the Court weighs the evidence,

l ' Assistant Pub c Defender Attorney Zachary Taimanglo represents Shimizu; Assistant Attorney General Christine Tenorio repress ts the People of Guam.

i ORIGINAL CM0388-17 S OF FACT AND CONCLUSION LAW Page 2

determines credibility ofthewitnesses, and draws reasonable inferences Hom proven facts.

See US. u Taylor, 716 F.2d 701, 711 (9th Cir. 1983) (noting that it is the exclusive province of I

the trier of fa t "to determine the credibility of witnesses, resolve evidentiary conflicts, and draw

reasonable inferences from proven facts"). Based on a .review of the evidence and testimony

admitted in the 's matter at the Bench Trial, the Court makes the following findings of fact:

1. The Mangunes reside at 878 Balaku Street, Mongmong. Shimizu lives across the street

from the Mangunes. Although the Mangunes recognize Shimizu as their neighbor, they

do have any relationship with him.

2. Emmanuel Mangune testified that he had three separate interactions with Shimizu on July

4, 207, and that Shimizu's behavior escalated with each interaction. Emmanuel

Manure's finance, Tadeo, and his Uncle also witnessed Shimizu's behavior.

3. First, pr ound 5:00pm, as Emmanuel Mangune and Tadeo were leaving the residence,

Shimizu stopped his silver truck in front of the residence, stared at them and then

gestured with the middle finger. Shimizu was four to five feet away from them. As

Emmanuel Mangune tried to approach Shimizu and ask what was wrong, Shimizu

laugh d and drove away.

4. Secord, around 6:30pm, Emmanuel Mangune and Tadeo returned home. As they exited

the cdr, Tadeo noticed Shimizu approach them with an open pocket knife and beer bottle

in bald. Shimizu whispered "come here, come here" to Emmanuel Mangune while

tapping Emmanuel Mangune's fence. Tadeo entered the residence to call the police.

5. Shim Eu's unidentified relative approachedandapologized for Shimizu.

6. Emm uel Mangune then told Tadeo not to call the police.

ORIGINAL HIII I \lll\II IHIIIII ullulllll ll

I

CM0388-17 i

F GS QF FACT AND CONCLUSION LAW Page 3

7. Lastl, around 8:00 p.m., as Emmanuel Mangune, his uncle and finance ate dinner, they

heard a loud bang on their screen door and the dogs started barking. Emmanuel Mangune

observed Shimizu standing at his door with a machete in one hand and a beer bottle in the

other.~

8. Shimizu told Emmanuel Mangune to "Come out, come out" to which Emmanuel

Mangune responded "We Want Peace" and yelled "He has a machete!" to warn the

others •

9. Emmanuel Mangune and his family remained in the residence during this third encounter.

10. Shimizu left, returned to his track and drove away.

11. As shimizu walked away, EmmanuelMangune observed Shimizu use the blunt side of

his machete to push Emmanuel Mangune's dog out of his way. The dog was not injured.

12. Tade called GPD and informed them of Shimizu causing a disturbance. She also told

them he make and model of Shimizu's car -- a silver Ford F150 pickup truck.

13. Officer Beltran D. Tosco arrived and spoke with Mangune, Mangune's uncle and Tadeo

about their complaint. As they were spoke to Mangune, the vehicle matching Tadeo's

description returned and pulled near Shimizu's residence. Shimizu exited the vehicle and

went into his residence.

14. Officer Tosco identified Shimizu and asked him to exit the residence. Shimizu exited, sat

in a chair near the carport area but made no statement. When officers asked if he would

acct party them due to their neighbor's complaint, Shimizu responded "There's no

pres ct. No Agana precinct.$9 Officer Tosco believed that Shimizu was visibly

intoxicated. During Officer Tosco's interview of Shimizu, Shimizu denied Emmanuel

ORIGINAL \vIII Lu l l ll

\ CM0388-17 F GS OF FACT AND CONCLUSION LAW Page 4

Mangune's allegations of causing a disturbance.

H. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
A. Identity of Shimizu as Defendant in this Matter

As am initial matter, the Court acknowledges that identity of the Shimizu as the individual

who committed a crime is an element of every crime that must be proven beyond a reasonable

doubt. See US. u Alexander, 48 F.3d 1477, 1490 (9th Cir. 1995) ("[i]dentification of the

defendant as the person who committed the charged crime is always an essential element which

the gove ent must establish beyond a reasonable doubt, United States u Weed, 689 F.2d 752,

754 (7111 Cir. 1982) ("[i]dentification can be inferred from all the facts and circumstances that are

in evidence").

The Mangunes and Tadeo all positively identified Shimizu at trial as the same neighbor

who approached them during three separate incidents on or about July 4, 2017. Additionally,

Tadeo provided a description of Shimizu's vehicle when she called GPD since Shimizu drove

away after the incident with the machete. As GPD was taking statements, Shimizu returned in

the described vehicle and returned to his residence. The Court determines that the People have

established shimizws identity beyond a reasonable doubt.

B . Hara»sment (as a Petty Misdemeanor)

According to Guam law, the crime of Harassment is a petty misdemeanor. Specifically,

the law defines that:

a person commits a petty misdemeanor lg with intent to harass another, he engages in any other course of alarming conduct or of repeatedly committed acts which alarm or seriously annoy such other person serving no legitimate purpose of the defendant.

9 GCA §61 .20(c). For this case, the People must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Shimizu:

ORIGINAL CM0388-17 FIN.GS OF FACT AND CONCLUSION LAW Page 5

(1) On or about July 4, 2017;

(2) In Guam;

(3) With intent to harass another;

(4) Engaged in a course of alarming conduct or repeatedly committed acts,

(5) Which alarm or seriously annoy another person, that is Emmanuel Mangune, Jr.,

(6) Serving no legitimate purpose of Shimizu.

See 9 GCA § 61.20(c).

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
People v. Shimizu, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-shimizu-superctguam-2018.