Errol Haynes Sues for Unlawful Imprisonment

Errol Haynes

Thirty-one year old Errol Haynes appeared briefly in court today before the Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin. He is suing the Commissioner of Police, Superintendent of Prison and the Attorney General for wrongful imprisonment. Prior to his court appearance, Haynes was in a Mexican jail, but was brought to Belize on a committal warrant to serve a jail term of three years. He also has to pay a fine of ten thousand dollars.  Today, Haynes brought a case of habeas corpus asking the court for his immediate release from custody at the Belize Central Prison. Haynes through his attorney, Hubert Elrington, is basing his claims on two grounds. That is, that his detention is in breach of the constitution and that his conviction which is said to have occurred on October fourth, 2013 is null and void since there are no records to prove he was tried or convicted in the Magistrate’s Court for drug offenses.   The original copy of the committal warrant could not be presented, so the case was adjourned until Friday when arguments are to begin.   Haynes, since beating a murder rap along with Arthur Young, for the murder of Calvin Young, was jailed in Mexico between the period of February 2011 to May 2015.