July, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Paul Arthurs is Fatally Stabbed; Was Murder or Self-defense?

Three murders were recorded over the weekend following separate shooting incidents in Orange Walk and Cayo districts. In Blackman Eddy Village on Saturday night, a man was stabbed to death by the siblings of his former common-law wife. She tells police that her ex-husband attempted to rape her at her birthday party and her brothers intervened and reportedly stabbed Paul Arthurs with his own knife. Arthurs’ family shares a different account of the couple’s tumultuous relationship. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with that story.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

A resident of Ontario Village was fatally stabbed by his common-law wife’s siblings on Saturday night in Blackman Eddy Village. Paul Arthurs was at a gathering in the neighboring community where Trisha Ireland was celebrating her birthday with friends and family. Something went terribly wrong and he was attacked by several individuals.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“Police visited Blackman Eddy Village where a complainant reported that she went to use a bathroom that is situated outside of her house. She then reported that her ex-boyfriend, Paul Arthurs, dragged her into some bushes and attempted to rape her. Her brother who was at the area at the time intervened in her defense, at which point Paul Arthurs produced a knife. A fight ensued and then Paul Arthurs received injuries. Other villagers came and assisted as well. Paul Arthurs was taken to the hospital with stab wound injuries and there after succumbed to his injuries.”

That’s the official account given by the Belize Police Department, based on their investigation into what transpired on Saturday night. Arthurs’ family provided a different narrative of what they understand took place.

Voice of: Relative of Deceased

“He was up at Blackman all day. He was socializing with some friends, to our understanding. He and the female in question, actually in custody at this time for investigation, they were together. They did have their ups and downs. It was her birthday on that day, as well, to our understanding, she was having a small gathering at her house and she saw him up in Blackman and she came by and invited him to the home. In the night, around 9:30, we received information that he got chopped.”

Arthurs’ niece, who spoke with us under the condition of anonymity, said that they were on their way to the hospital when they learned of his demise. We were also told that the relationship was oftentimes unstable.

Voice of: Relative of Deceased

“We were on our way to the hospital when we got news that he succumbed to his injuries.”

Isani Cayetano

“What do you believe went wrong that would have resulted in this fatal stabbing?”

Voice of: Relative of Deceased

“To our understanding, the female that he was with, the family has never stepped into their relationship or told him what to do, for lack of a better term, however, he and the female have had their little back and forth because she has times when she doesn’t want him around.”

Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero says that the Director of Public Prosecutions will determine what charges, if any, will be brought against the person or persons who inflicted the deadly stab wounds on Arthurs.

Hilberto Romero

“An investigation has been carried out and this file will be sent to the D.P.P. for directives.

Arthurs relatives maintain that Ireland and her siblings should have alerted police of the disturbance, instead of taking matters into their own hands.

Voice of: Relative of Deceased

“As a family, we wish they would have contacted the police and asked [to] remove this man from this home because, he, another report says that she was his ex. They were in a back and forth ongoing relationship and he couldn’t have had access to this female if she didn’t invite him to the home and also he could not have gotten access to take her anywhere that her brothers or the people at the home would not have seen. So she had enough people there to protect her where that couldn’t have happened, in our opinion.”

Isani Cayetano for News Five.

Orange Walk Man Murdered Upon Arrival Home

Police have another murder to solve, this time in Orange Walk Town. The incident happened on Sunday morning as Norman Gillett and Leon Tasher were entering a yard in the Palmar Boundary area of town. Reports are that Gillett had just arrived home and was heading into his yard when he and Tasher came under fire by someone in a vehicle. But police say they have a suspect in custody, as well as the vehicle involved. News Five’s Marion Ali filed this report on the incident.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Sunday, the 30th day of June 2024, police responded to a shooting incident at Monkey River Street in Orange Walk Town. Upon arrival, they learned that two male persons had been shot. They were identified as Norman Gillett and Leon Tasher and were taken for medical treatment. Thereafter, police visited the hospital where they learned that Norma Gillett had passed away.”

Marion Ali, Reporting

Sixty-year-old Norman Gillett was reportedly entering his yard on Monkey River Street in Orange Walk Town when he and Leon Tasher came under gunfire. ACP Hilberto Romero shared what the police have gathered on the incident so far.

ACP Hilberto Romero

“Investigations revealed that they were at a yard at the address along with other persons when an SUV vehicle pulled up. A person came out of a vehicle, fired several shots towards the direction, causing the fatal injuries to Norman Gillett and the injuries to Leon Tasher.”

At the entrance to Gillett’s house his relatives and friends lit candles where he was gunned down in honour of his memory. One of his neighbours told News Five that Gillett was not a troublemaker.

Voice of: Neighbour

“He nuh mess with nobody. He just goh da work, come back and then that’s it. Ih da wa good bally, when I tell you good, he start to earn money, treat them picnic good. Whatever he bring for them kids, take it, because da wa good bally. I can’t explain it. I shocked cause he’s a good buddy, he’s a good friend.”

Police have recovered the vehicle involved in the shooting and have detained one person pending investigation. Marion Ali for News Five.

Murder in Santa Elena, Anthony Smith is Gunned Down

In Santa Elena Town, a feud between two groups has led to the shooting death of a man who went to purchase food with his cousins on Sunday night. When Anthony Smith set out along with his cousins from their Avella Street address, his family did not think that he wouldn’t be returning home alive. While at a fast food restaurant, a lone gunman appeared on a motorcycle, opened fire on Smith, and made good his escape from the area. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano, once again, with that report.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Anthony Smith is the latest murder victim in Santa Elena, following a deadly shooting overnight in that municipality. Despite concerns from residents and business owners, crime remains a pressing issue. The deadly attack on Smith has the trappings of a bitter rivalry. He was purchasing fast food, along with several relatives, when a gunman emerged on the scene.

Voice of: Aunt of Deceased

“Dehn gaan da Chinatown gaan buy wahn fry chicken and while dehn mi di wait fi dis fry chicken, dehn seh di bwai just come straight and shoot ahn right da ih chest. Dehn shoot ahn, he drop, [and] when he drop, di bwai come over ahn gih ahn di nother shot. And they were so frightened, di other bwai dehn, that dehn neva know weh fi do. When deh ketch up da when dehn si di blood, right. When dehn conscious, dehn seh di bwai mi done deh pan ih cycle and dehn seh dehn couldn’t do nothing because ih mek two shot afta di other bwai.”

The incident happened on a side street just off the George Price Highway. Mei Mei, as the restaurant is known, has a security camera perched at the corner of the building. It is not clear whether the device captured anything useful relating to the attack.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Sunday, June 30^th, 2024, police responded to a shooting incident in front of a restaurant in Cayo District. Upon their arrival, they learned that one Anthony Smith, thirty years old, had been shot and was taken for treatment. Police visited the hospital thereafter and we learned that Anthony Smith had succumbed to his injuries. Investigation revealed that Smith was sitting in front of the restaurant when a motorcycle came and a male person came off the motorcycle and fired several shots towards his direction, causing his fatal injuries. We have several persons detained in regards to this murder.”

Smith’s aunt believes that he may have been executed by someone who is known to the family; however, there is no certainty since the gunman’s face was concealed by a helmet he was reportedly wearing.

Voice of: Aunt of Deceased

“Dehn cyant point finger because the person mi got di think pan ih face, right. But dehn seh dehn cyant point finga da who but dehn suggest that more or less ih could be one ah dehn enemy.”

Isani Cayetano

“Now, do you know Anthony for having enemies, or what was he involved with here?”

Voice of: Aunt of Deceased

“Well, we mi know that ih had one enemy but we cyant call name because we noh know. As ah tell yoh, we cyant point finger. Soh you know we cyant seh exactly well da dat person do it because all dehn know is that the person da wahn Spanish person and di person mi got on ih helmet so like dehn couldn’t sih ih face. Soh you know yoh can’t point finger. Yoh cyant call name cause yoh noh know da who, right.”

An investigation into the murder is ongoing. Isani Cayetano for News Five.

A Belize City Woman is Shot After a Domestic Dispute

Twenty-two-year-old Jasmine Fortune was shot on Sunday morning, following a domestic dispute with her common-law husband. Police say that the couple was at Long Island Bar here in Belize City when they got into an altercation. She reported that her common-law, Barry Johnson, hit her. Fortune was taken to the Belama Police Station where she refused to cooperate with investigators. She subsequently left the precinct and was on her way home to Belama Phase One when multiple shots were fired in her direction, injuring her.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Sunday June 30^th, 2024, police responded to a shooting incident at Belama, in Belize City. Upon their arrival, they learned that a female, Jasmine Fortune, had received gunshot injuries. She was taken to the KHMH for treatment and she is presently listed in a critical condition. Investigation revealed that Jasmine Fortune was at her house inside a bedroom when several gunshots were heard and she had been shot. The scene was visited where several expended shells were found and bullet holes were found on a window that is by the bedroom. We are seeking several suspects in regards to this shooting.”

Reporter

“Wasn‘t there a prior altercation between this lady and someone known to her at an establishment?”

Hilberto Romero

“There was a report of a minor domestic issue in a nightclub. That is the information we have.”

Reporter

“I think she had spoken to the police before going home, is that so?”

Hilberto Romero

“Yes, she had visited the station to make a complaint and thereafter she went home.”

Jasmine Fortune is listed in a critical condition.

Refurbished Court House and Treasury Building Commissioned

The newly refurbished court and treasury building in Belize City was officially commissioned this morning. The building received extensive damage in November 2022 when Hurricane Lisa made landfall in the Belize District. The Government of Belize invested just under three million dollars to bring the courthouse back to life, while maintaining sixty percent of the original structure. We spoke with Chief Engineer Evondale Moody about the renovation.

Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH

“We started with the roof. We had to ensure we reconstructed a new roof because the entire roof was gone. So we have a new steel structure roof in place. We believe it is well suited for the conditions we have in Belize in terms of hurricanes and tropical storms. In terms of the building structure itself we had to do a lot of works in terms of the interior of the building. What we did was gutted out the entire structure and only left the walls standing and we had to go to anew drawing plan in terms of the layout for the building in terms of the lower flat and also the first floor. We did that in conjunction with the Chief Justice to gather from her what exactly she wanted in terms of the court rooms that we have within the entire building. So we went through a discussion process with her and her entire team so that we could present and build exactly what they needed for this building. As you can see from the outside of this building we tried to maintain the aesthetics. We had some issues where the original floor had to be replaced in certain areas. In the courtroom where we had the ceremony today the original wood is still the original wood. We didn’t do anything to do. We sanded it and brought it to its original condition. So what you see in here is what we have brought back. Regarding the other floors for the other court room we had to change most of those because those were built on beams that are over a hundred years old. And some of those beams were infested with wood lice so we had to change out a few of them but we tried to maintain as much as we can in terms of its integrity.”

Chief Justice Thanks G.O.B. For Investments in Justice System

Chief Justice Louise Blenman says that with the modernized building, it is expected that justices of the Senior Court will work above the call of duty in their effort to significantly reduce current backlogs. She also thanked the government for its commitment to improving the nation’s justice system.

Louise Esther Blenman, Chief Justice

“This magnificent building will now house four court rooms in addition to this main court room. There will be judge’s chambers, a conference room, a mediation room, offices to accommodate the positions that were created by the senior courts Act such as a master’s chamber. In addition, there is a roving room for lawyers and there is a room which the lawyers and their clients can have consultations and for all of this we a re grateful. As we look back over the past year, we place on record our collective thanks to the government of Belize for their unswerving support of the judiciary and by extension court users and the people of Belize. In my view this magnificent building is symbolic of the people of Belize’s confidence in the justice system, and we say a resounding thank you. With this impressive modernizing facility we can expect the justices of the senior court to continue to work over and above the call of duties and that in a short period time the severe backlogs which are already being reduced significantly should indeed be a thing of the past.”

Minister Musa Warns Against Cyber Bullying

Kareem Musa, the Minister of Home Affairs, is warning Belizeans against cyberbullying after several nude and salacious videos were leaked over the weekend. The videos were widely shared on social media. According to Minister Musa, anyone who shared the video or created memes using the content contained within those videos committed a criminal act and is liable to face legal consequences.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“Let me joined the Commissioner of Police. I know he released a statement warning members of the general public against cyber bullying. We must understand this is now a criminal offense by virtue of the Cyber Crime Act of 2020. I believe it is section fifteen of the Cyber Crime Act which speaks to sharing and publishing videos, photographs of a lude and indecent nature with an aim to humiliate individuals. That particular offense carries a prison term of five years in addition to a fine of five or ten thousand dollars. Whether you are sharing that by way of Facebook or WhatsApp, you become liable to be charged under this Cyber Crime Act, so yes you have to look at the persons or person who originally shared this video but also those individuals who continue to perpetuate the crime by sharing this video. So, the offense continues. I want to ask members of the public to be respectful. These young ladies have family members. This is concerning and disturbing. We have to be mindful of a society the type of a damage you are causing and to be mindful that this now bears criminal liability.”

Police Detain Dangriga Woman for Child Abuse

Police were swift to detain a woman in Dangriga who was captured in a disturbing video encouraging a child to perform sexual acts on her. The video also made its rounds on social media over the weekend. Minister Musa says it is under investigation.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“I asked the commissioner about that when I was informed about the video and he had indicated that on Saturday or Sunday, right after the video was published, the alleged individual, because no faces are shown in the video, but the individual that is suspected to be in that video was picked up and detained by police down south. That matter is under investigation.”

ComPol’s Brother, Roy Williams, Charged Again

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams has once again ordered the detention of his brother and the Crimes Investigation Branch wasted no time arresting and charging Arthur Roy Williams for an alleged social media post that was in circulation over the weekend. This morning, Williams appeared before the lower court for another charge which was brought against him back in February. Upon the conclusion of that matter, he was approached by C.I.B. personnel who informed him of the reason he was being detained. It is alleged that on June twentieth, Williams posted a questionable Facebook message. That message was immediately recorded by the Cyber Crimes Unit. When asked if he believes that he has violated the terms of his bail condition, Williams said the post for which he is being blamed was simply forwarded to him by someone else. In February, Williams was charged with two counts of using a computer system to disseminate false statement with the intent to cause another person to be subject to ridicule or embarrassment, and one count of using a computer system to publish computer data to intimidate a person. The condition of the bail stipulated that he was not to use any form of social media to speak about his brother, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, or any member of the Belize Police Department.

Cane Farmers Suffer Major Losses in Recent Floods

Several villages in the northern districts have suffered quite a bit of losses to their homes due to flooding caused by recent rains. Over the weekend, videos showing floodwaters rushing through the low-lying villages painted a dismal picture. And while that is bad enough, there was also significant damage to cane fields in those districts. The tallies are still being conducted as farmers are just now returning to their cane fields to check on the extent of their losses. Today News Five’s Marion Ali stopped in Libertad Village, and spoke with the B.S.C.F.A.’s Libertad Branch Chairman, Estevan Villanueva about the damages.

Marion Ali, Reporting

This was how one farmer’s cane field looked when we visited Libertad Village today. All the investments that went into this work will be a loss for him and his family. We could not find them, but we found Estevan Villanueva, the BSCFA’s Chairman for the Libertad branch.

Estevan Villanueva, Chairman, BSCFA Libertad Village

“We have about 150 to 200 acres in flood. Okay. Apart, we have mature can that’s in flood and we don’t have a good road to, to come out to take out the, that can, that’s a loss right now. We don’t know if if the factory goes ahead and it makes good time after this, this time that is coming, we maybe we can take it or not. We will lose all of those cane.”

The access road to one of the cane fields looked like a river, with floodwaters streaming through. Villanueva told News Five that the floods also damaged the roads that were repaired.

Estevan Villanueva

“They try to fix it but right now with this flooding the current carries Gallaudet they don’t like if they don’t do nothing. When it’s flooded, everything goes to the to the lower part, it carries the dirt from the road and that breaks solid dirt alley road so that and make it harder to weed to take out cane and it costs a lot.”

Villanueva says that cane farmers absorb all the losses when their fields are inundated. He adds that what we saw in Libertad is just a small part of the damage suffered in the north.

Estevan Villanueva

“In Corozal we have like Caledonia, we have like San Victor, we’re nearby to San Victor, we have um, um, those two villages that have more than Damages on us like like Douglas branch, they are you have already have a bigger flood.”

Now with a hurricane staring at Belize at the end of this week, Villanueva says they are preparing for a bad crop.

Estevan Villanueva

“If more flood, we will have more damage, more losing of cane because, the water kills the cane and all those canes that is coming up, everything will die and we will have a bad crop next year if the flood comes.”

Marion Ali

“The hurricane –“

Estevan Villanueva

“Yes.”

Marion Ali for News Five.