There is no murder weapon and no motive.

That’s what a Superior Court of Guam jury was told during opening statements for murder defendants Jamie Nededog.

Trial is underway before Judge Alberto Tolentino. Nededog is on trial in connection to the Oct. 15 killing of Edwin Pirando.

His body was found by the Atantano Shrine in Sumai.

“Alcohol and drugs create problems for a lot of people. They create problems for the entire island and the community, and alcohol and drugs are involved in this case. The victim who died has high blood alcohol content level and methamphetamine in his system as well,” said Sean Brown, prosecuting attorney.

He added, “He did not overdose. He did not drunk drive into a pole. The evidence is going to be very clear that his face was hit repeatedly with a blunt force object, probably over 10 strikes at least. The person holding that item, whatever it was, was Jamie Nededog.”

Brown gave a timeline of the events that the jury will hear throughout the trial.

“There is no murder weapon,” he said. “We know that based on what was said and the video, Mr. Nededog is the only person that could’ve killed Edwin Pirando.”

But, defense attorney Peter Santos argued that Nededog is not guilty.

“There’s a lot of holes in the recitation of facts and information that the evidence is going to show,” said Santos.

Santos added, “(Attorney Brown) said Mr. Pirando was hit repeatedly. He was and the medical examiner said 14 times at least - devastating blows…You are going to see there is no evidence that Jamie is the one that delivered those blows.”

Santos told the jury Nededog knew Pirando his entire life, and had no reason to kill him.

“The evidence is going to show that Jamie went to the police and say, ‘I was with Ed’…but they didn’t believe him and didn’t want to look for anyone else. They just immediately assumed that he was lying,” Santos said.

“Yes, you are going to hear about drugs and alcohol. Jamie was drinking that night but Jamie does not partake in meth.”

Defense contends Nededog never confessed to police to being responsible for Pirando’s death.

“Instead of going to look for the real killer, they set eyes on him,” Santos said. “They just focused in on him and ignored everything else. It’s called tunnel vision.”

Prosecution’s timeline

- Oct. 14, 2023 at 9:13 pm: Defendant is seen entering the Agat Village Mart buying charcoal and beer.

- At 9:14PM: Defendant is seen running up the street to his home with items. The pair were barbecuing chicken for an event.

- At 11:30 pm: Video captured victim leaving his Hagat house in his vehicle. Pirando’s widow recalled Edwin talking with Jamie. Both left to the gas station to get cigarettes.

- At 11:47 pm: Victim’s truck is seen parked across from the 76 gas station in Hagat.

- Oct. 15, 2023 at 12 am: The truck’s hazard lights are on before they pull away from the spot and head towards Sumai. The truck is seen passing the Sumai Mobil gas station.

- At 5:30 am: Victim’s truck leaves Nededog’s home.

- At 7:30 am: Victim’s truck seen passing Hagat community center parking lot, then parks near Mount Carmel School. Nededog is seen walking down the street toward Agat Village Mart before walking to his house.