World | Philippines
Filipino jailed for 40 years over Campbell's murder
A northern Philippine wood carver has been jailed for 40 years for last year's murder of an American Peace Corps Volunteer.
- By Gilbert Felongco, Correspondent
- Published: 23:37 June 30, 2008
Manila: A northern Philippine wood carver has been jailed for 40 years for last year's murder of an American Peace Corps Volunteer.
The court pronounced Juan Donald Duntugan guilty beyond reasonable doubt of murdering Julia Campbell, 40, who was trekking alone in Banaue on April 8 last year.
Campbell was a volunteer teacher in central Philippines and her sister Gerry Morris, wept inconsolably in the court when the sentence was read out.
Judge Esther Piscoso-Flor of Banaue, Ifugao Regional Trial Court Branch 34, also ordered Duntugan to pay about 39.67 million pesos (Dh3.25 million) in civil liabilities and damage to the family of Campbell.
The 16-month-long trial of Dantugan is one of the quickest rendered on a celebrated case in a country were court proceedings often takes several years to resolve.
Campbell was declared missing on April 8 last year after she went on a sightseeing tour in Banaue by herself.
The American's decomposing body was later recovered from a hastily dug grave in the village of Batad.
After hiding from the authorities for ten days Dantugan had surfaced and admitted to killing Campbell, who went missing as she was trekking without a local guide.
Forensic experts said she died after being repeatedly hit by a hard object in the head.
During the trial, prosecution presented a wooden pestle commonly used in pounding rice as evidence, as well as a pair of bloodied pants and a camera owned by Campbell which was seized by the authorities from Dantugan's possession.
With inputs from Artemio Dumlao
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