High Court Rules Against No-Case Submission in Mason Kidnapping Case

Convicted murderer Williams “Danny” Mason has been shuttling between the Belize Central Prison and the Belmopan High Court throughout this week. Mason and co-accused Ryan Rhaburn face charges of kidnapping businessman Lloyd Thiessen and his wife, Rosie, in May 2016 at Mason’s ranch near Mile thirty-one along the George Price Highway. The kidnapping allegedly stemmed from a business dispute; the couple had reportedly given Mason three hundred thousand dollars to import corn, which was never delivered. When the couple confronted Mason, the alleged kidnapping occurred. The trial, initially scheduled to begin in early July before Justice Francis Cumberbatch, was postponed to July eighteenth after Mason requested a change in venue. The trial resumed on Monday, and by Wednesday, the prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl Lynn Vidal, had closed its case. On Thursday, the defense argued a no-case submission, claiming the prosecution had not provided sufficient evidence.  This afternoon, Mason and Rhaburn appeared before Justice Cumberbatch, who ruled that there was indeed a case to answer. Consequently, the no-case submission was denied, and the trial will continue. Mason and Rhaburn are expected to testify next week. Following the ruling, Rhaburn’s attorney, Simeon Samson, provided a brief statement.

 

Simeon Samson, Attorney for Ryan Rhaburn

“At the end, the defense made its submission to the judge that the trial ought not to proceed because we thought there was insufficient evidence against my client. The judge has ruled against us. So, we proceed to trial on Monday morning, my client will take the stand.”