Judge: Torture trial, assault case to take place in next 45 days

A man accused of torturing and assaulting a now-deceased woman could go on trial next month.

On Tuesday, Guam Superior Court Judge Maria Cenzon held a hearing to discuss the forensic evaluation of Eugene Wayne Tudela Huffman, who was found competent to stand trial on charges of criminal sexual conduct and aggravated assault.

Huffman pleaded not guilty by reason of mental illness to charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct as a first-degree felony and aggravated assault, domestic violence and criminal restraint as third-degree felonies stemming from reports by a woman who accused Huffman of torture, beat and sexually assaulted her at Dededo’s residence from June 2 to June 4.

Huffman’s attorney, Peter Santos of the Deputy Public Defender, said he had not had an opportunity to discuss the evaluation with Huffman. However, Santos added that he would not contest the results.

Defense attorneys usually have a chance to object to the results, and in response, judges would schedule a competency hearing to ultimately decide whether to accept the findings of the forensic evaluation by a psychologist.

Since there was no objection from Huffman’s defense, Cenzon began seeking to schedule Huffman’s trial, which must take place within 45 days because Huffman asserted his right to a speedy trial and is locked up at the Department of Corrections.

Cenzon did not give an exact date for the trial, but confirmed that it will be scheduled either in the last week of November or the first week of December.

“I just want the best possible fighting chance”

Huffman appeared via Zoom from the DOC and, following Cenzon’s statements, stepped in and requested that he be released from custody because his third-party custodians were present.

While Cenzon explained that a magistrate judge would determine Huffman’s release, Huffman said he would like to be released to have “the best fighting chance” of defending the charges.

“It’s really hard. I’m still in quarantine. Man, I haven’t seen the light of day in three months and it’s going to be really hard to fight this case under the circumstances. I’d love to fight. I just want the best fighting chance possible ,” Huffman said.

Santos told Huffman he is working on his release but must wait for the magistrate judge to schedule a bail hearing.

Victim

Huffman was arrested and charged after officers with the Guam Police Department responded to reports of an expired person in August, a 33-year-old woman, at Huffman’s residence.

GPD then issued a press release stating that the woman is the same woman who accused Huffman of torturing and sexually assaulting her in June. According to police, attempts were made to render aid to the victim, but aid was refused by the victim, who told officers he was receiving medical attention.

As a result of the woman being found dead, GPD opened a separate investigation into her death.

The Guam Daily Post has not received any confirmation from the department regarding the woman’s cause of death.