Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds said Thursday he respects the jury's decision to convict Jeremy Guillermin of lesser charges in the death of Alvin Rebamba, but acknowledged that no verdict could bring the victim back to his family.
Speaking to the media after the four-day trial, the head of the CNMI Office of Attorney General’s criminal division described the case as difficult because a single punch resulted in Rebamba's death.
“No verdict is going to be justice for the taking of his life,” Hinds said. “That being said, I respect the jury's verdict.”
A six-member Superior Court jury found Guillermin guilty Thursday, Oct. 22, of involuntary manslaughter, assault and battery, and obstruction of justice. He was acquitted of the original charges of voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault and battery.
The verdict was read at approximately 2:20pm after jurors began deliberations at 10:18am following instructions from Superior Court Presiding Judge Joseph N. Camacho.
Hinds said involuntary manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, assault and battery up to one year, and obstruction of justice up to six months.
He said Camacho could impose the sentences concurrently or consecutively. If imposed consecutively at their maximum terms, Guillermin could face up to six years and six months in prison.
Hinds said he and co-counsel OAG assistant attorney general Daniel Johnson would review the case before recommending an appropriate sentence rather than immediately seeking the maximum penalties.
Camacho scheduled sentencing for Jan. 13, 2027, at 10am. A presentence investigation report is due Dec. 28, while sentencing memoranda must be submitted by Jan. 4.
Hinds also defended the verdict against an immediate motion by defense attorney Brien Sers Nicholas to set aside the jury's findings and enter a judgment of acquittal.
Sers Nicholas argued that Guillermin had acted in self-defense and that prosecutors failed to establish an unlawful act. He also challenged the assault and battery conviction and questioned whether the evidence supported obstruction of justice.
Hinds opposed the motion, saying the jury had sufficient evidence to convict on all three counts.
“He's just doing his job. I respect that,” Hinds told reporters of Sers Nicholas.
Camacho denied the defense motion to set aside the verdict, finding that the evidence was sufficient to support the jury's findings.
Sers Nicholas then sought to keep Guillermin on bail pending an appeal and asked that he be allowed to return to Palau with his mother, who attended Thursday's proceedings.
The defense attorney argued that Guillermin had complied with his bail conditions since last year, was not a flight risk and could be trusted to return to Saipan for future proceedings. He also offered financial assurances, including covering possible extradition expenses.
Hinds opposed the request, arguing that Guillermin had been convicted of a serious offense and should be taken into custody.
Camacho denied the request, noting that Guillermin no longer enjoyed the presumption of innocence following the jury's verdict and faced a possible prison sentence.
The judge ordered Guillermin remanded to the Department of Corrections pending sentencing.
Sers Nicholas indicated that he plans to appeal and sought an earlier sentencing date to allow the appeals process to begin sooner.
Guillermin, wearing a white long-sleeved sweater, was seated beside Sers Nicholas, who wore shades of blue. After the court ordered him detained, Guillermin was seen nodding toward family members seated behind him.
Camacho allowed him a few minutes to speak with his family before being taken into custody.
Guillermin's mother declined to speak with the media but agreed that the incident was a tragedy for both families.
Sers Nicholas also didn’t speak to media after the verdict, but was heard talking to Guillermin as he was conversing with his family inside the courtroom that it’s not over.
Rebamba's mother, Veronica Taitano, and older sister, Arvie, also declined interviews following the verdict.
In a subsequent text message to Marianas Press, Arvie said the family was still processing the jury's decision.
Johnson, meanwhile, said he understood the family's mixed emotions and hoped the verdict would help them begin healing.
“I just hope that Alvin Rebamba's family can heal at this point,” he said.
Asked about his message to Rebamba's daughter in the Philippines, Hinds expressed regret that she had been unable to speak with her father before his death.
“Remember how nice your dad was,” Hinds said, recalling surveillance footage showing Rebamba enjoying himself, dancing and socializing with friends.
He said Rebamba's sister had also described him as someone who enjoyed spending time with friends.
Hinds acknowledged that Guillermin's future had also been affected by the incident. The Palauan national was in Saipan for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting training, which the prosecutor said was not scheduled to conclude until December 2025.
Hinds said Guillermin should not have been at the bar at around 3am while he still had training to complete.
The convictions stemmed from a Nov. 16, 2025, confrontation outside Relox Bar in Garapan, during which Guillermin punched Rebamba, causing him to fall backward and strike his head on the concrete. Rebamba died four days later.
During the trial, prosecutors relied on surveillance footage, police testimony and medical evidence to argue that the punch was unlawful. Sers Nicholas maintained that Guillermin acted in self-defense after being provoked.
Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. pathologist Dr. Philip Dauterman testified that Rebamba died from traumatic brain injuries involving a skull fracture and extensive bleeding.
The jury ultimately convicted Guillermin of the two lesser-included offenses and obstruction of justice, which stemmed from his departure from a police vehicle while handcuffed following the incident.
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