CEBU CITY – The suspect in the high profile killing of a 17-year-old girl in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu plead not guilty to the murder charges. He earlier admitted killing the girl.
Renato Llenes entered a plea of not guilty in the murder charges filed against him during Friday’s, June 7, arraignment before the Regional Trial Court of Lapu-Lapu City.
Lawyer Manuel Degollacion confirmed Llenes plea during the arraignment.
Degollacion said Llenes did not denied killing Christine Lee Silawan and just wanted to downgrade the charge from murder to homicide.
He said Llenes plea is a way for them to present their argument that his client did not commit murder but just homicide.
According to Degollacion that Llenes may enter a guilty plea if the case will be downgraded to homicide.
Silawan was found dead in a vacant lot in Lapu-Lapu City with more than 30 stab wounds and defaced.
Silawan and Llenes were Facebook friends and agreed to meet up at the time the young girl died. (Newsline.ph)