Oscar Selgado Asks Court to “Render Justice with Mercy”  

In early March, the High Court found fifty-four-year-old attorney, Oscar Selgado guilty of abetment to commit murder. Today, Selgado was back in court along with his attorney Arthur Saldivar for the continuation of his sentence mitigation hearing. Nine-character witnesses have been called over the last two mitigation sessions to testify on Selgado’s behalf. Today, Selgado himself testified from the stand. During his testimony, Selgado sought forgiveness from Marlyn Barnes for the suffering she has been through, though during his cross examination it was made clear that he is not admitting to hiring someone to kill her. Selgado is clinging on to his innocence and that probably has something to do with the fact that the verdict will be appealed. Selgado practically threw himself at the mercy of the court, sharing that while this verdict may mean the end of his career as an attorney, he has all intentions to continue being a breadwinner for his family and a productive citizen to society. Selgado told the court that he came from humble beginnings and was raised by a father who worked as a truck driver for the government. He also told the court that at some point in his life he had to generate the necessary funds to send his younger siblings to high school. He further explained that he continues to financially support his diabetic mother, as well as one of his sisters and seven nieces and nephews after his brother-in-law passed away. Selgado did not forget to mention that he did sixty-two court appointed pro bono cases in a span of ten years. Among the character witnesses called to testify today were attorney Michelle Trapp Zuniga, Senior Counsel Hubert Elrington, Selgado’s sister, a childhood friend, and a neighbor. We heard from Selgado’s attorney, Arthur Saldivar outside the courtroom.

 

Arthur Saldivar, Attorney for Oscar Selgado

“It is not only talking the talk but walking the walk and he has shown the court in every instance that from humble beginning he applied himself, qualified himself and gave back to the community he came from. These are commendable things, these are things that go to his credit, mitigating factors if you will and by virtue of that he is giving himself the best chance of the court’s consideration. How much will It assist? We don’t know until that time comes, but I am hoping that it does move the needle in his direction. I am hoping we reach a point where a fair judgement can be meted out, one that is clear that there is a penalty to be paid for the offense committed while striking the balance of ensuring that a person who has made a mistake from the court’s point of view is given every opportunity to be rehabilitated and returned to society in a way that he can still make his contributions to the benefit of that society. Mitigation by its definition is trying to reduce the impact of whatever is to come so in this particular instance Mr. Selgado is applying for mercy and we are seeking to give the court every instance where it can look to apply its mercy. It reminds me of Porche in the Merchant of Venice, Shakespear, “The Quality of Mercy is Not Strained”.