Court Denies Inspector Martinez Stay of Sentence

Back in September, Inspector of Police Christopher Martinez was handed a five-month prison sentence after admitting to wounding detainee Aaron Flowers. Fast forward to now, he’s already served one month, three weeks, and three days. Tonight, his bid to pause his sentence was shot down by the Magistrate’s Court. If it had been approved, he would have been out and about while waiting for his appeal date. Instead, he’s stuck behind bars. His lawyer, Hubert Errington, argues that by the time the appeal is heard, Martinez will have already served his full sentence. So, they’re gearing up to take this fight to the High Court.

 

Hubert Errington, Attorney-At-Law

“Christopgher Martinez applied to the Chief Magistrate to grant a stay of the sentence, because if he was to remain in prison until the appeal he filed against the sentence to be heard, the time would long expire before his appeal is heard and this would mean that his constitutional right for a fair trial within a reasonable time, as is guaranteed to every Belizean, would be seriously violated. Apparently, the Magistrate believes that there is still time within the Court of Appeal might hear the appeal right away. Therefore, there is still time that his constitutional and legal right is preserved. Mr. Martinez is therefore left with no option but to go right away to the High Court to ask for a stay or that his appeal be heard immediately.”