Transcript
Criminal charge sheets have named two men, Anthony Teteeth and Frances Buchun, as suspects charged in connection with this murder. Both are over the age of 18 and residents of Yap but little else is known about their identities. Mr Teteeth faces six charges, including the murder of Rachelle Bergeron, who was acting attorney general in Yap. According to the charge sheets, which were shared with RNZ Pacific by online news outlet The Kaselehlie Press, Mr Teteeth killed her on October 14 after shooting at her three times with a shotgun.
His co-defendant, Frances Buchun is alleged to have driven Mr Teteeth to Ms Bergeron's home where she was killed and supplied the shotgun. He's been charged five times, including with conspiracy to commit murder and illegal possession of ammunition and guns.
DW: Is anything known about the intent?
No, it's still unclear what made Ms Bergeron a target. But the charge sheets do allege both men conspired to kill the attorney general for at least a month before the shooting. So they've outlined this as a very clear and deliberate murder rather than something done on a whim. The defendants have been denied bail by Yap's Supreme Court and it's unlikely more will become clear on this case until they appear again on December 18. The government is asking the defendants be charged with the maximum jail time possible.
DW: What has the government said about this?
When news first broke of Ms Bergeron's death the governor, Henry Falan, said it was a dark day for Yap and promised to hold those responsible to account. After a police investigation assisted by the FBI, the government said on Monday they'd arrested suspects but didn't release any names. In fact, the government was caught off guard when this news outlet The Kaselehlie Press obtained the charge sheets. A government official, Constantine Yowbalaw, told me they weren't ready to release the names yet.
DW: This was a very unusually grim attack for Yap, wasn't it?
Yeah, there's only about 11,000 people in the state and firearms are banned there, so it's unclear where the defendants obtained these. But residents have been shocked that such a violent crime was able to be committed, especially against a government official. It's also been described as a tragedy for the family, with Ms Bergeron leaving behind a husband and daughter. Her funeral was held in Yap last week.
