Prosecutor OKs filing of parricide raps against magician accused of killing wife
MANILA, Philippines–Unless he can pull off a hat trick, a magician may end up being charged with the death of his wife.
A prosecutor has recommended the filing of parricide charges against magician Allan de Paz, popularly known on television as Alakim, who is being held in a police detention cell after he told the police that his wife reportedly committed suicide by shooting herself in the chest last week.
In a two-page inquest disposition released Tuesday afternoon, Senior Assistant Marikina City Prosecutor Orven Ontalan said De Paz could be responsible for his wife’s death.
At the same time, he dismissed the magician’s earlier sworn statements, describing these as “self-serving.”
No bail was recommended for the 32-year-old magician, a grand finalist in the “Pilipinas Got Talent” competition in 2010 who also appeared in some shows on ABS-CBN.
De Paz earlier told the police that his 34-year-old wife, Maricar, shot herself in the chest at around 3 a.m. on April 3 as they were arguing inside a vehicle in front of their house in Barangay Parang, Marikina City.
The alleged suicide of Maricar, a department manager of St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City, happened hours after she held a surprise birthday party for him at a bar on Timog Avenue, Quezon City.
“From the circumstances at hand and with the admission of the respondent that he and his spouse were engaged in an argument, the only possible conclusion would be the fact that indeed the respondent was the person responsible for his wife’s death,” Ontalan said.
He added that De Paz, being the lawful owner of the gun used by Maricar, ought to be responsible for the firearm’s possession and safety.
Ontalan took note that although De Paz tested negative for gunpowder burns, this was not conclusive enough to prove that he did not shoot his wife.
In an earlier interview, De Paz told the Inquirer that he was leaving it to the court to decide on the matter.
He said it has been difficult for him to mourn his wife’s death and, at the same time, endure his stay in jail. “I can’t explain what I’m feeling,” he added.
