Police are set to file murder charges against a carpenter of the Cornelio household for the Wednesday night murder of lawyer Martiniano Cornelio.{{more}}
Supt. Leopoldo Cabanag, Dumaguete City police chief, said the suspect, Pepito Zerna Kadusale of Tanjay City, is still on the run.
However, they believe they have sufficient evidence to link him to the crime.
“He used the cellphone of Atty. Cornelio in calling his house in Tanjay yesterday (Thursday). For us that is sufficient evidence to charge him for the crime,” Cabanag said.
Witnesses described the suspect who was fleeing the scene of the crime as half-naked, aged 30-40, sporting long curly hair, 5 feet and 4 inches tall, fleeing the house bringing a backpack.
Cornelio, 78, was believed to be alone in the house with the suspect when he was murdered. His body was later found by his two sons Atty. Martin Gerard Cornelio and Engr. Jayson Cornelio inside their septic tank and wrapped in a blanket.
There were visible injuries on his face and head and police have asked a doctor to examine the body for more injuries.
Police recovered a hammer, which was believed to have been used in the killing.
Cabanag said his investigators also found fingerprints on the doorknob. “We will match these fingerprints with the fingerprints of the suspect once we find him,” he said.
Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, meanwhile, lauded Cabanag for the fast action that led to the identification of the suspect. “Even though the suspect is still at large, the case may be considered solved and the legal process will continue,” he said.
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