Juan Faisao Mendiola sentenced to 25 years in prison for manslaughter conviction

January 12, 2022 – Tamuning, Guam- Presiding Judge Alberto C. Lamorena III sentenced Juan Faisao Mendiola to 25 years incarceration at the Department of Corrections following his sentencing hearing today.

Last year after trial, jurors found Mendiola guilty of Manslaughter as a First Degree Felony and Aggravated Assault as a Second Degree Felony with the Special Allegation in the Possession of Use of a Deadly Weapon in the Commission of a Felony, and acquitted Mendiola of Murder as a First Degree Felony.

During trial, an eye witness testified she heard Mendiola and Rios getting into a verbal argument. When she walked out, she saw the victim holding a knife and Mendiola with a gun. Mendiola fired two shots 23 seconds apart at the victim while saying “I told you not to f*** with me.” The victim was found by responding police officers with a pool of blood forming around his stomach area and a knife underneath him.

Prosecuting Attorney Sean Brown said, “The Presiding Judge handed down a fair sentence considering the loss of a life and use of a firearm which reflects a finding that the jury made: this was manslaughter, not a case of self defense. I hope the victim’s family can heal knowing justice prevailed in this case.”