Murder Trial of Raymond Myers Aborted
A man who has been on remand for almost five years will have to wait even longer after the jury in his trial for murder was dismissed by Justice Troadio Gonzalez. Raymond Myers was charged with the May fourteenth, 2010 murder of Francis Figueroa. But today, the second day of trial, one of the jurors informed the judge that he cannot pass judgment on Myers because he is a Jehovah’s Witness. When Justice Gonzalez asked him why he hadn’t said anything before, the man stated that he hadn’t understood his role as a juror and it had just occurred to him that he would have to pass judgment on the accused. He then asked to be excused, and the judge was forced to dismiss the entire panel. Myers won’t have to wait too long though, since it is expected that a new panel of jurors will be selected and the trial could commence as early as this Friday, April seventeenth. In the trial which started on Monday, the prosecution had already called three witnesses. Those witnesses will need to provide testimony before the new panel.
It is a sad situation existing in the country. A person called for jury duty did not understand the responsibility of a juror. No wonder so many murderers walk, my people have limited understanding and certainly lack the ability to make well thought out decisions.
I am so concerned for the future of the young people. What kind of a country are we leaving for them.
Citizens of Belize demand changes, demand better education. Lift your voices.