Ben Castro Crisostomo faces 12 years in prison, now that he’s been convicted on all counts of aggravated assault, terrorizing, child abuse, and family violence. A jury returned this verdict Tuesday in the court of Superior Court Judge Maria Cenzon. Mr. Crisostomo is maintaining his innocence, despite the verdict.
In a news release from the Office of the Attorney General of Guam, the case made against Crisostomo is described as, “especially egregious because evidence was presented that once again drug use preceded innocent women and children being terrorized and assaulted, which included this coward picking up a two-year-old girl by the throat with one hand and throwing her against a wall, then smothering her with a pillow causing vomiting. Then this animal slammed her infant sister on a bed and twirled the baby whilst taunting her mother.”
The defendant’s attorney Peter Santos also released a statement in response to the guilty verdict against his client. In part, Mr. Santos said, “It was a ‘he said, she said case’ and although the alleged victim changed her story at least 10 times to police and medical staff, and contradicted herself countless times on the witness stand, she became very emotional and must have appeared sympathetic to the jury. The physical evidence in the case all negated her very wild claims, however at the end of the day the jury felt sorry for her. Mr. Crisostomo wanted his day in court and is very disappointed that the jury fell for the alleged victim’s very wild accusations that were vastly unsupported by the evidence.”
Kandit reached out to Mr. Santos and asked if he was convinced of his client’s innocence. Mr. Santos replied, “Yes and he was too, on the stand, the prosecutor asked him about his future plans and he humbly said ‘I am just looking forward to being released’ he was faithful the jury would see through the accuser.”
The full press release from the OAG and Mr. Santos’s complete statement are provided below:
Release from the Eagle’s Nest: Criminal Felony Conviction after Trial
The Attorney General wishes to thank the 12 Jurors for their having rendered a guilty verdict protecting the crime victim in People v. Ben Castro Crisostomo, CF97-23. We also wish to thank Judge Maria T. Cenzon for presiding over this felony jury trial. The Jury returned a decisive verdict in 2 1⁄2 hours with our Office presented nine (9) witnesses.
Acting Assistant Chief Prosecutor Grant Olan ([email protected]) successfully prosecuted this case. AG Investigator Felix Manglona assisted. The losing defense attorney was Alternate Public Defender Peter Santos.
The jury returned a guilty verdict on all counts to include: (1) Aggravated Assault (felony), (2) Terrorizing (felony), (3) Child Abuse (misdemeanor), and (4) Family Violence (misdemeanor). The defendant now faces a potential prison sentence of about 12 years in jail, which the AG’s Office shall be seeking from Judge Maria T. Cenzon.
The verdict is yet another victory by this Office against violent criminals who would injure our most vulnerable women, (mother & grandmother), children (infant & 2 yr old) and a 75 yr old Manåmko (grandmother). April the Month of the Crime Victim. With guilty verdicts against violent criminals, we continue to set the new tone of Tough Prosecutions seeking Tough Sentences to DETER criminals. This case is especially egregious because evidence was presented that once again drug use preceded innocent women & children being terrorized and assaulted, which included this coward picking up a 2 year old girl by the throat with one hand and throwing her against a wall, then smothering her with a pillow causing vomiting. Then this animal slammed her infant sister on a bed and twirled the baby whilst taunting her mother.
Our trial teams continue to win cases with the help of our Jurors to put the bad guys behind bars. This AG will continue working to protect us, punish the criminals and deter against future crimes by asking for & hopefully getting TOUGH sentences from our Judges.
Attorney Peter Santos’s Statement:
Regarding the Ben Crisostomo Trial
The Defendant wishes to thank the Jury but of course is disappointed in the outcome and maintains his innocence. It was Mr. Crisostomo who was struck in the head twice with a large hammer while he was sleeping by the alleged victim and his skull was fractured.
It was a “he said, she said case” and although the alleged victim changed her story at least ten times to police and medical staff, and contradicted herself countless times on the witness stand, she became very emotional and must have appeared sympathetic to the jury. The physical evidence in the case all negated her very wild claims, however at the end of the day the jury felt sorry for her. Mr. Crisostomo wanted his day in court and is very disappointed that the jury fell for the alleged victim’s very wild accusations that were vastly unsupported by the evidence.
There were some highly improper statements made by the prosecutor and Mr. Crisostomo plans to move for a judgment of acquittal or in the alternative, a declaration of a mistrial. If not granted, Mr. Crisostomo will file an appeal the the Guam Supreme Court.
