Guam rape sentence delayed after judge contacted

Guam rape sentence delayed after judge contacted

HAGATNA, Guam (AP) — Attorneys for a convicted rapist in Guam are asking for a judge to be disqualified from sentencing him after the judge received a letter from a territorial senator urging her to give the maximum punishment.

The Pacific Daily News reports (http://goo.gl/z7BLa ) Nicholas Camaddu was scheduled to be sentenced Friday for repeatedly sexually assaulting three girls over several years. The conviction carries the possibility of a sentence of life in prison.

One of the territory’s lawmakers, Sen. Brant McCreadie, sent Judge Anita Sukola a letter this month asking for the harshest sentence possible for Camaddu.

Assistant Public Defender John Morrison said that letter gives the appearance of impropriety and moved that Sukola be removed from the sentencing.

Sukola will consider the motion next week, after prosecutors have had a chance to respond.

Morrison said it will not affect Camaddu’s conviction.

McCreadie said he wasn’t trying to create a hurdle for the court. He said he doesn’t believe he interfered with the case itself.

“Sending the letter was an attempt on my part to once again fight for the victim,” McCreadie said.

He introduced a bill that was signed into law in April that mandates life sentences for criminals convicted of a second rape. He has another bill that requires life sentences for a third conviction of a “strikable” offense, including first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

The Supreme Court of Guam disqualified a judge in 1998 from a different case after the judge got a letter from a senior 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judge urging quick resolution.