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CEBU CITY, Philippines - The counsel of three people accused of killing and chopping up two women in Talisay City last month is asking for a psychiatric examination of his clients.
Lawyer Salvador Solima said the manner in which taxi driver Richard Gudelosao, his girlfriend Jean Antonette Medalle and neighbor Joseph Roy Cellar allegedly committed the crime may indicate that they were not in a proper state of mind.
“It is then appropriate that, before arraignment, their frame of mind should be examined so that they will be able to realize the consequences of their plea,” Solima said.
The lawyer said the three may have been “under the influence of drugs” when they allegedly committed the crime on July 24.
Gudelosao, Cellar and Medalle face two murder charges each for the death of Maria Eva Mae Peligro and Gwendolyn Balasta inside their home in Azienda Firenze, Barangay (village) Lawaan, Talisay City.
The case was raffled off to Regional Trial Court branch 23 on Monday noon.
Shortly thereafter, Solima filed an urgent motion for the psychiatric examination.
“The manner it (crime) was committed is revolting and apparently the accused were under the influence of drugs whose mental faculties have been distorted,” said Solima’s motion.
“It is prayed of this Honorable Court that a psychiatric examination be conducted on the accused, likewise an examination be made to determine whether the accused are under the influence of drugs.”
Solima asked the court to resolve his motion before 2:30 p.m. Friday.
Peligro was the fiancée of Gudelosao’s brother Felix, who is working abroad.
The accused allegedly killed Peligro because Gudelosao was jealous of the victim, who was entrusted with the money the family sent them from abroad.
Balasta was killed because she was a witness to Peligro’s murder.
Parts of the two women were placed in at least 12 plastic garbage bags and disposed of in different areas of Talisay, Naga and Toledo cities, and in the town of Minglanilla.
