Billy Crawford pleads not guilty to malicious mischief raps

MANILA, Philippines –  Singer Billy Crawford has pleaded not guilty to charges of malicious mischief and disobedience to a person in authority filed against him.

ABS-CBN reported that the singer’s lawyers,  Lucas Carpio Jr and Jose Aspiras, who accompanied their client to the Taguig Municipal Trial Court, said the cases filed against Crawford lack basis. 

“He did not do anything to anyone, let alone intentionally destroy the property or the 4  panels of the doors that are alleged to have been destroyed by him. Because no less than the photographs appended to the complaint indicate that there is only one panel which got destroyed contrary to the allegations in the complaint that 4 were destroyed,” Carpio said.

Unlike other cases, the lawyers said they were informed that Crawford’s case was not subject to mediation because it involves public property and complaints of public officers.

“Let’s wait for the court to appreciate the evidence. But as far as we are concerned, our client is not guilty of any of the charges leveled against him. We have sufficiently stated all the allegations and discussions in the affidavit of the client and the eyewitnesses,” Carpio said. 

The report also said that Crawford is being asked to pay P31,000 in damages arising from the case.

Crawford was arrested on September 7, after it was reported that he went berserk inside the Taguig police precinct. He later apologized for his behavior. 

In an interview on The Buzz, Crawford clarified that he was not under the influence of illegal drugs, but admitted that had a few drinks. He also denied that he hurt a female officer.

Crawford also said that contrary to reports, he was not suspended on It’s Showtime, and returned to the show Monday, September 15. – Rappler.com