Jose Abelardo Mai
The civil trial against Abelardo Mai began on Tuesday before Justice Courtenay Abel. Previous to that, the parties entered mediation; however, all efforts failed. News Five understands that the Arana family was asking for a hefty financial sum as compensation for Julia Arana’s death. In court today Mai maintained that the accident was no fault of his.
Jose Abelardo Mai, Defendant
“Absolutely, yes. I have absolutely no fault in the accident. It was unavoidable. I did what I could have done. I was not speeding. I was not under any influence of any substance and I maintain that. Of course I have to sympathize with the family for the loss of their loved one. But it is something that I could not have avoided. If I could have avoided it then we would have not been here today. My attorney has established where the accident occurred. I think she has done a very good job today. So I feel the court will decide and be fair. The court will be fair and that is what we are asking for. We are not asking for it to be one-sided. This is about fairness. We understand that a loved one has passed. Everybody here is a victim. It is not a nice thing to knock down somebody on the highway. It is not an animal. It is a human being. The court will decide. That is why we have a court in this country and I am certain that they will be fair.”
Julie-Anne Ellis Bradley
Julie-Anne Ellis Bradley, Attorney for Jose Abelardo Mai
“Well like any accident and where there are motorists on the highway there will be instances. The question that the court has to determine is where liability falls. Liability can be full liability, apportionment of liability but that is really a question for the court to determine having heard both sides. The court has heard both sides and now it will be for the court to determine when it listens to both sides, what happens. Now because the Judge has not made a decision I do not want to say how to the court, or guess how the court will find. That is something for the court to determine. I do believe base on the trial, we will be returning for oral arguments and that is what the court for. Each party brings their case forward and everyone has an opportunity and a right to do that. I believe that because who Mr. Mai is and I gather there is a play on that, it really is not. Regardless whether you are a politician, whether you are an ordinary citizen that is going about your daily you still have the same rights and protection under the law.”
The matter was adjourned to July thirteenth for oral submissions.