Trial for Boat Explosion Case Ongoing before Chief Magistrate

The trial against San Pedro Jet Express and Boat Captain Ernest Delgado continued in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court today before Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser.  The water taxi company and Delgado were criminally charged for causing the death of siblings, eight-year-old Kimberly Guy and ten-year-old Yamri Guy of Xaibe Village, and for the injury of American national, Joseph Lee.  They were all onboard a boat gearing up to ferry passengers to Caye Caulker when the vessel exploded near the Swing Bridge on May fifth, 2019. While the two children perished, many others were injured.   The prosecutor in the case is attorney Darrell Bradley, while attorney Mark Williams is representing San Pedro Jet Express; Delgado is unrepresented. Today, Bradley called to the stand three witnesses, including Port Authority electrician Delon Castro, who described why the explosion happened. Also taking the stand was the mother of the deceased siblings, Rosa Catch, who was also a passenger on the boat, but lived to tell the tale.  In her testimony, Catch said that about five to ten minutes after the captain started the engine, she heard a bang. She then realized that she was on the floor of the boat and that there had been an explosion.  According to Catch, Kimberly died almost instantly, while Yamri died at the hospital. Joseph Lee, who was the final witness to take the stand today, showed the court his many injuries after the accident and pictures whilst in recovery.  He was unable to work for a month. Prosecutor Bradley will continue his case on Wednesday at ten a.m. when his last witness, Port Authority employee Kaylon Young will testify virtually.