Pathologist cleared to testify as expert in Guillermin trial

The pathologist who performed the autopsy in the Jeremy Guillermin case will be allowed to testify as an expert when Guillermin goes before a jury next month, according to Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds.

Presiding Judge Joseph N. Camacho made the ruling during a Daubert hearing held last Sept. 30 in Superior Court, allowing Dr. Phillip Dauterman, Commonwealth Health Center Laboratory Services & Pathology director, to testify as an expert in clinical pathology.

“He's the one who did the autopsy in the case, so the judge allowed for Dr. Dauterman to be admitted as an expert during trial,” Hinds told the media following the hearing.

Guillermin's jury trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 19.

The Sept. 30 proceedings first tackled a defense motion in limine before moving to the Daubert hearing, which focused on Dauterman's qualifications and the scope of his potential expert testimony.

According to notes taken by Marianas Press during the hearing, the Office of the Attorney General indicated it would withdraw autopsy photographs it had intended to introduce during the jury trial. The motion in limine was denied without prejudice.

The court then heard testimony concerning Dauterman's education, training, experience performing autopsies, and qualifications.

Dauterman testified that he is board-certified in anatomic pathology and has performed hundreds of autopsies during his career. He also discussed his experience conducting autopsies in the CNMI.

Defense lawyer Brien Sers Nicholas questioned Dauterman about the distinction between his qualifications in clinical and anatomic pathology and those of a forensic pathologist.

Dauterman acknowledged that he is not a forensic pathologist and testified about his training and experience conducting autopsies.

The government sought to qualify Dauterman as an expert based on his training and experience and the fact that he performed the autopsy in the case.

Camacho ultimately allowed Dauterman to testify as an expert in clinical pathology.

During the hearing, Dauterman testified that the autopsy showed a fractured skull and bleeding in the brain and that he determined the cause of death to be blunt-force trauma to the head.

The court's ruling concerned Dauterman's qualification to provide expert testimony and did not constitute a determination of Guillermin's guilt or innocence.

Speaking to the media after the hearing, Hinds described the prosecution's theory of the case but declined to characterize the defense's position.

“I don't want to guess as to what they're saying, but I think it's very clear that his client punched the victim, causing him to fall and causing a skull fracture, which causes his death,” Hinds said. “But, of course, the defense might have another version of events.”

The criminal case stems from an incident that allegedly occurred outside Relox Bar in western Garapan on Nov. 16, 2025.

According to the information filed by prosecutors, Guillermin is charged with one count each of voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and battery, and obstructing justice.

The voluntary manslaughter charge alleges that Guillermin unlawfully caused the death of Alvin Rebamba during a sudden quarrel or heat of passion. The aggravated assault and battery charge alleges that Rebamba suffered serious bodily injuries, including a subdural hematoma, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and temporal bone fracture.

The obstructing justice charge alleges that Guillermin interfered with a police officer's lawful duties following the incident.