Marvin's case proceeds without testimony

The court has decided to proceed with the murder case of Mary Grace, a Filipino nurse who worked at IGMH, without taking testimony from the defense witnesses of her husband, Marvin Vargas, after they refused to appear in court.

While Marvin faces charges of intentional murder in connection with Mary's death, Haleemath Lamha, who is alleged to have been in a romantic relationship with Marvin, is also being prosecuted by the state for complicity in the crime. The trials for Marvin and Lamha were conducted separately today.

A hearing in Marvin's trial was held at the Criminal Court today to take testimony from five individuals from the Philippines who were proposed as defense witnesses. These individuals were acquaintances and friends intended to prove Marvin's "good character."

However, they did not appear in court to testify. Efforts to contact them multiple times, requesting their presence and sending court summons, were unsuccessful. Marvin’s mother had been the one coordinating the effort to bring the defense witnesses to court.

Marvin’s lawyer stated in today’s hearing that it is unlikely the witnesses could be brought to court through the mother and requested that the case proceed without their testimony.

Consequently, the presiding judge decided to hold a hearing on the 14th of next month to discuss the evidence and present closing statements.

Additionally, the judge decided to merge the trials of Marvin and Lamha, which had been proceeding separately. As the evidence stage in Lamha's part of the case has also concluded, the judge informed that the hearing for closing statements will take place on February 14.

Out of the five witnesses originally proposed for Marvin’s defense, only one appeared. This witness is a Filipino national working in the Maldives. Testifying in court, the witness stated that Marvin is a very sociable and kind person. The witness added that everyone would want to be friends with Marvin and that this quality is visible in him.

The state alleges that Marvin killed Mary in October 2021 by attacking her head and neck and suffocating her. After she was taken to IGMH with the claim that she had died by hanging, police grew suspicious while examining her body and the location where she reportedly hanged herself. Marvin, who worked as a nurse at IGMH, was the first to be arrested in the case. Lamha, who worked as a nurse in the hospital's ER, was also arrested later.

According to the state's prosecution, Mary was killed following issues arising from the romantic relationship between Marvin and Lamha. Lamha is charged with complicity in murder, performing an act without a required permit, and unauthorized control over another person’s property.