Lincoln Diaz is Acquitted of Bredda O’s murder  

Lincoln Daniel Diaz, who was just nineteen at the time of the July twenty-seventh, 2020, shooting of Ladyville businessman Orin Velasquez, also known as “Bredda O,” has been acquitted of both murder and manslaughter charges. Now twenty-three, Diaz walked free after the High Court’s decision this morning. Justice Candice Nanton delivered the not guilty verdict, explaining her reasoning to the parties involved. After more than four years on remand, Diaz left the courtroom smiling and happy, supported by his family. Throughout the trial, Diaz’s attorney, Lynden Jones, maintained his client’s innocence. Diaz admitted to planning a robbery but denied shooting Velasquez. Despite evidence presented by the prosecution, including a caution statement and an interview with police, the judge found that there was not enough proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Diaz intended to kill Velasquez. Justice Nanton emphasized that while there was a plan to rob, the intent to kill could not be established. She also rejected several statements, including one from a witness who claimed Diaz confessed to the shooting, due to credibility issues. Diaz’s defense was that he and another man, known only as “Coolie,” planned to rob Velasquez. Diaz stayed outside while Coolie went inside, and Diaz heard gunshots but did not participate in the shooting. The court found that the evidence did not prove Diaz’s intent to kill or harm Velasquez, leading to his acquittal. Late this evening, Emilda Velasquez, the wife of the deceased, spoke with News Five by phone.

 

On the Phone: Emilda Velasquez, Wife of Deceased

 “ That was the worst day of my life. And it seems like it’s reliving this day because all that we wanted was justice for my husband.  That’s all we wanted. It’s very rough because at the moment I was pregnant and my twins are three now  and they grew up without a dad anytime I look for a child with ney pa.  They want to know, like, where my daddy at?  You know, and many days I tell my son, like, maybe daddy is sleep or he dih work. And that’s what they told people that my daddy to sleep or to work. In reality, we know that he’s not coming back.  Because they know that there should be a mom and a dad and their dad is never around.  You know, and for the oldest kids, it’s really rough and hard for, from four years ago till now. I mean. The next girl is graduating this year, but my son, he took it really, really hard because he literally witnessed everything and he was just 14 at that time  to have somebody relive those when they come and give you a not guilty verdict.  Really, really hurt.  At the end of the day, you don’t know who you’re going to rob.  It doesn’t matter if you pulled the trigger or not. You went there, nothing in and out of shock and concern. Nobody. Because we work hard for everything what we have on right now. I am a single mom and I’m working hard for my 4 children by myself, not a help from no one.  And it’s really, really rough and hard, especially to explain to my children. Why their dad is not around.”