By Daisy CL Mandap
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| An injured Arimas being subdued while the officer who fired 3 shots at him lay nearby (File) |
A Filipino male resident who had just come out of hospital after being shot three times by a police officer for allegedly resisting arrest on Jan. 24, received bad news when he appeared in Eastern Court earlier today, Tuesday.
Oliver D. Arimas’ plea to be allowed bail in the sum of $5,000 was denied by Magistrate Minnie Wat after the prosecution vigorously opposed the application, saying the defendant was charged with a serious offence.
It was the first time the 43-year-old Arimas had appeared in court, as he spent more than a month in Eastern Hospital where he was initially listed in critical condition. He was charged in his absence with one count of assault with intent to prevent lawful apprehension.
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While in hospital, his case was included in the court list each week, indicating the authorities’ effort to get him to personally appear to face the charge against him as soon as possible.
According to the prosecutor, the incident started with a noise complaint being made against a group of people inside a subdivided unit at no 6 Wing On Street in Peng Chau. When an officer went to the unit to investigate, Arimas rushed out and attacked him, then pushed him down the stairs.
The officer reportedly retreated but the defendant chased after him. After giving a verbal warning the officer fired three shots from his pistol, and all hit Arimas in the body.
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The prosecution then presented photos of the crime scene to the court.
In response, the defense counsel said the officer did not suffer serious injuries, and that it was Arimas who had to spend more than a month in a custodial ward in hospital.
“Right now he is wearing a colostomy bag that requires regular cleaning so home care is important,” said Arimas’ counsel in pressing his application for bail.
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The lawyer said the defendant was also needed to look after his three young children, aged 9, 7 and 3, as his wife needs to tend to her beauty parlor in Central.
If allowed bail, he said Arimas was willing to report daily to the Central police station, preferably between 12 noon and 3pm, while his children are in school. He was also willing to surrender his passport and continue to reside in the address he furnished to court.
But after hearing the arguments from both sides, Magistrate Wat decided to reject the bail application, saying that based on the nature of the offense it was likely that the case would result in a conviction.
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She granted the prosecution’s plea for the case to be adjourned to Mar 29 for further legal advice. But she told Arimas to appear in court again on Mar 7 for the regular bail hearing. Alternatively, he can make the application directly with the Court of First Instance at any time.
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| PADALA NA! |
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