The driver of an SUV seen running over a mall guard in a viral video has pleaded not guilty to the frustrated homicide charges made against him.
Jose Antonio Sanvicente, who was accompanied by his lawyer, entered a not guilty plea during an arraignment today at the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court Branch 213.
Sanvicente was charged over a shocking hit-and-run incident that was caught on video. The clip allegedly shows him driving a white SUV over a 31-year-old guard named Christian Joseph Floralde, who was directing traffic at the intersection of Julia Vargas Avenue and St. Francis Street in Mandaluyong City when he attempted to stop the driver’s car to give way to other vehicles as the car was occupying the junction.
He had previously been charged with reckless driving in 2010, 2015, and 2016 based on records from the Land Transportation Office, who revoked his driver’s license after the viral incident.
READ: Driver who ran over mall guard banned from driving for life but not yet arrested
The Mandaluyong prosecutor’s office brought down the initial charges of frustrated murder to frustrated homicide.
In an interview with DZMM Teleradyo in June, the victim, Christian Joseph Floralde, said that he had already forgiven Sanvicente but would continue to support his prosecution.
