Verdict . News

Oct 10, 2025•4 min read

•Supreme Court of Guam vacated Jesse Pinaula's felony convictions for firearm and drug possession

Guam Supreme Court Vacates Conviction in Firearm Case Due to Evidence Error

The Supreme Court of Guam vacated Jesse Junior Quintanilla Pinaula's felony convictions for firearm and drug possession after finding the trial court improperly admitted prejudicial evidence about his pretrial release status and pending criminal matter.

•Trial court improperly admitted evidence of defendant's pretrial release status and pending criminal matter

Sep 8, 2025•4 min read

•Nathan Jon Ojeda appealed his aggravated murder conviction with deadly weapon enhancement to Guam's Supreme Court

Guam Supreme Court Reviews Murder Conviction Appeal

The Supreme Court of Guam issued an opinion in People of Guam v. Nathan Jon Ojeda, reviewing the defendant's appeal of his aggravated murder conviction with a deadly weapon enhancement. Ojeda challenged his conviction on grounds of ineffective assistance of counsel.

•The court found trial counsel's failure to preserve security footage was deficient but caused no prejudice

Sep 5, 2025•4 min read

•Supreme Court of Guam affirmed that Jose and Florence Gutierrez's estates own 24% of Joe & Flo's, Inc.

Guam Supreme Court Affirms 24% Estate Ownership in Joe & Flo's Inc.

The Supreme Court of Guam affirmed a trial court ruling that the estates of Jose T. and Florence S. Gutierrez own a 24% interest in Joe & Flo's, Inc., a corporation formed by the couple's six children. The court ordered the company to issue stock certificates reflecting this ownership stake.

•The family corporation was formed by the deceased couple's six children but retained parental ownership interest

Sep 4, 2025•4 min read

•Supreme Court of Guam ruled on appeal in property dispute involving 2004 settlement agreement

Guam Supreme Court Rules in Property Dispute Appeal

The Supreme Court of Guam issued a ruling in *Cho v. Alupang Beach Club, Inc.*, addressing a property dispute involving a 2004 settlement agreement. The case concerns claims by Hee K. Cho and Min S. Cho against Alupang Beach Club, Inc. and Steven Kasperbauer regarding the Alupang Beach Tower.

•Chos argued trial court failed to address all claims in summary judgment ruling

Jun 20, 2025•4 min read

•Supreme Court of Guam affirmed Duayne Richard Peters' convictions on four counts of First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct and two counts of Second-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct

Guam Supreme Court Affirms Sexual Assault Convictions in Peters Case

The Supreme Court of Guam affirmed the convictions of Duayne Richard Peters on multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct. Peters challenged his trial court conviction, arguing that his wife's testimony against him under a plea agreement was improperly coerced.

•Peters challenged his wife's testimony against him, arguing she was under improper compulsion through a plea agreement to testify in the government's favor

Dec 31, 2024•4 min read

•Supreme Court of Guam affirmed AJ Muna Toves' conviction for second-degree robbery with deadly weapon enhancement

Guam Supreme Court Affirms Robbery Conviction in People v. Toves

The Supreme Court of Guam has upheld the conviction of AJ Muna Toves for second-degree robbery with a deadly weapon enhancement. The court rejected Toves' arguments that insufficient evidence supported his conviction and that the jury should have been instructed on attempted robbery as a lesser included offense.

•Court rejected arguments that insufficient evidence supported conviction and that jury should have received attempted robbery instruction

Dec 31, 2024•4 min read

•Supreme Court of Guam affirmed denial of motion to quash grand jury subpoena duces tecum in first-impression case

Guam Supreme Court Affirms Grand Jury Subpoena Power in First-Impression Case

The Supreme Court of Guam ruled that the Superior Court properly denied a motion to quash a grand jury subpoena duces tecum, establishing important precedent for grand jury authority in the territory. The decision marks the first time Guam's highest court has addressed fundamental questions about grand jury proceedings.

•Court established that grand juries in Guam operate under presumption of legitimacy, requiring strong showing to challenge authority