BUSINESSMAN Cedric Lee, model Deniece Cornejo, and two other cohorts were meted 40 years’ imprisonment by the Taguig Regional Trial Court (RTC) in connection with the criminal case filed by actor-host Vhong Navarro in 2014.
The Taguig RTC found Lee, Cornejo, and their cohorts named Ferdinand Guerrero and Simeon Palma Raz, guilty of the serious illegal detention, a non-bailable offense, for which they are liable for reclusion perpetua. They were also ordered to jointly and severally pay a total of P300,000 civil indemnity, as well as moral and exemplary damages.
Navarro filed the case against Lee and the others in Jan. 22, 2014 after he was illegally detained by the respondents following Cornejo’s allegations that he was raped by Navarro.
Aside from severely mauling the actor, he was also threatened and intimidated by the use of firearms, based on manifestations in court.
Lee had filed a motion to dismiss the case but the Taguig court denied his motion. He took his case to the Court of Appeals, which then 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, court said “this court finds that the prosecution proved the guilty of the accused beyond reasonable doubt.” (Tetch Torres-Tupas © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
