SAIPAN — A Superior Court jury found Justin Diaz, 40, not guilty Monday of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor and disturbing the peace, concluding a week-long trial that hinged on a recanting alleged victim and DNA evidence the prosecution called compelling.
Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds said after the verdict that the outcome was difficult to accept.
“The DNA, to me, was very compelling. That was the reason why we took this case to trial,” Hinds said. “I feel saddened for the victim in this case because she’s been through a lot. She’s been put in a position to where she had to recant what happened. But I feel like we tried our best. The whole office worked hard to get this done.”
Hinds said DNA analysis showed the defendant’s semen was recovered from the alleged victim’s underwear, and that her DNA was found on his underwear.
“I’m not exactly sure what the jurors saw or what they didn’t see,” he said.
The case stemmed from an alleged incident on the night of August 22, 2023, in which Diaz was accused of entering the bedroom of the alleged victim, then 14, and sexually abusing her while the household slept. The case came to light after a boy reported to police that his girlfriend said she had been abused and was contemplating suicide.
At trial, the alleged victim recanted her earlier accusations. The prosecution sought to counter her recantation with prior statements she had made to investigators and DNA evidence recovered from clothing. The defense argued the accusations were fabricated.
When asked whether the verdict could be appealed, Hinds said it could not. “Once the jurors find not guilty, then that’s it,” he said.
