Vhong Navarro, Deniece Cornejo and Cedric Lee. Images from FACEBOOK/INQUIRER FILES
Businessman Cedric Lee, model Deniece Cornejo, and two other companions were sentenced to 40 years imprisonment by the Taguig Regional Trial Court following their conviction in connection with the serious illegal detention case filed by actor-host Vhong Navarro in 2014.
Taguig RTC Presiding Judge Mariam Bien found Lee, Cornejo and their companions, Ferdinand Guerrero and Simeon Palma Raz, “guilty beyond reasonable doubt for the crime of serious illegal detention for ransom,” a non-bailable offense, for which they are liable for reclusion perpetua, which carries a penalty from 20 to 40 years.
They were also ordered to jointly and severally pay P300,000 in civil indemnity, and moral and exemplary damages.
Subsequently, the trial court canceled the bail bond the accused posted at the start of the trial for their temporary liberty.
“They will be immediately committed and detained. Since Cedric Lee and Ferdinand Guerrero were not in court during the promulgation, the two have been ordered arrested,” Atty. Alma Mallonga, Navarro’s lawyer said.
READ: Explainer: Serious illegal detention for ransom, what is it?
On Jan. 22, 2014, Navarro filed the case against Lee and the others who had illegally detained him after Cornejo had accused him of raping her.
He was not only severely mauled but also threatened and intimidated with guns, based on the court manifestations.
An excerpt of the Taguig RTC’s ruling on Vhong Navarro’s case.
Lee had filed a motion to dismiss the case, but the Taguig court denied his motion. He then took his case to the Court of Appeals, which affirmed the lower court’s ruling.
Following the appellate court’s ruling, the RTC continued with the trial of Navarro’s case against Lee and the others.
In its ruling promulgated Thursday, the court said, “This court finds that the prosecution proved the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt.”