Former Murder Suspect Faces New Charges for Sexual Assault and Wounding

Emerson Garnett, a thirty-four-year-old from Freetown Road, Belize City, faced new charges of sexual assault and wounding in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court this morning. Previously a murder suspect, Garnett has been in custody since Sunday. He appeared before Magistrate Ludlow Black without representation and pleaded not guilty to both charges. The allegations stem from a domestic incident on April twentieth, 2025, where Garnett allegedly grabbed the private parts of a thirty-eight-year-old woman and caused her injury. The victim, who was once in a relationship with Garnett, reported that he tried to hug her, and when she refused, he threatened to kill her and himself. Garnett then allegedly assaulted her, punching her several times in the face. Despite hearing the victim’s account, Garnett maintained his innocence. Magistrate Black informed him that he need not explain further since he had pleaded not guilty. With no objection to bail from the prosecutor, conditions were set for Garnett’s release, including no contact with the victim or her family, staying one hundred yards away from her, and reporting to the Queen Street Police Station every Friday. Garnett met bail and is due back in court on June eleventh, 2025.