After Being Found Guilty, Cedric Lee and Deniece Cornejo Surrender to Authorities
CEDRIC LEE – The businessman has surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) shortly after a Taguig court convicted him, Deniece Cornejo, and two others of serious illegal detention.
NBI agents apprehended Lee at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday in Mandaluyong and brought him to the NBI headquarters in Quezon City by around 8:00 p.m. Lee mentioned that he surrendered voluntarily as his legal team is working on an appeal to the Court of Appeals. He stated that he preferred incarceration over hiding as it allowed him to communicate with his family and lawyers.
Having been previously detained, Lee remained hopeful that he could prove his innocence by adhering to legal processes. NBI Director Atty. Medardo Dilemos confirmed that Lee had turned himself in, prompting the agents to collect him.
Following his surrender, Lee underwent the usual booking procedures, including a mugshot and fingerprinting. The arrest warrant will be sent back to the Taguig Regional Trial Court, which is expected to issue a commitment order. The court’s decision on Thursday sentenced Lee, Cornejo, Ferdinand Guerrero, and Simeon Raz to reclusion perpetua, or up to 40 years in prison, for illegally detaining TV host and actor Vhong Navarro in 2014.
In its 94-page ruling, the Taguig RTC-Branch 153 declared them guilty beyond reasonable doubt of serious illegal detention for ransom under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code, highlighting their premeditated plan to extort money from Navarro. The court noted that the actions of the accused before, during, and after the incident suggested a collective intent to commit the crime, leading to the cancellation of their bail.
Meanwhile, Simeon Raz and Deniece Cornejo, who were also accused by Vhong Navarro of serious illegal detention, were turned over to the Taguig Police for proper documentation after being found guilty.
Related Post: Cedric Lee, Deniece Cornejo Face Life Imprisonment; Found Guilty in Vhong Navarro Serious Illegal Detention Case