Breaking News - Channel 5 Belize

Leanne Davis Guilty of Manslaughter in Fatal Stabbing of Sister-in-law

Earlier today, twenty-eight-year-old Leanne Davis has been found guilty of manslaughter in the stabbing death of her sister-in-law during an unfortunate incident that took place in April 2021. In her ruling this morning, Justice Candace Nanton found that there was extreme provocation in Davis’ case, hence the reason she was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter. Davis, then a twenty-five-year-old mother of two, got into an altercation with Venecia Staine, a resident of Gracie Rock Village. According to a witness, who was fifteen years old at the time, the deadly incident happened when Davis reportedly bumped into Staine and an argument ensued. During the heated exchange, Staine was stabbed as many as six times, including a fatal wound inflicted in the area of her right breast. Davis was remanded on a charge of murder. The trial got underway a little over a month ago. In her defense, Davis, from the dock, told the court that she was provoked. Sentencing for Davis has been deferred to July twenty-ninth. She has been remanded back to the Belize Central Prison.

20-Year-Old Pleads Guilty to Murder of Adrian Pook

One year ago, twenty-nine-year-old Adrian Pook was shot dead in his yard by a gunman laying wait under the back steps of his home. The shooter was handed over to the police by Pook’s family after they detained him at the scene. Today, that man pleaded guilty to that crime. He is twenty-year-old Kriston Francis. This morning, Francis, represented in court by attorney Arthur Saldivar signed the plea bargain documents and took ownership for his actions. Saldivar urged upon the court to take into consideration the fact that his client expressed remorse and was only eighteen at the time of the murder, which was his first offense. Saldivar said that Francis has been waiting for the opportunity to apologize to the parents of the deceased and has taken full responsibility for his actions. Francis will be sentenced on July sixteenth and must undergo a psychiatric evaluation before appearing in court. Justice Derick Sylvester also ordered a social inquiry report, and a victim impact statement to be delivered before sentencing.

Belizean American Broadway Actress Kara Young Wins a Tony

The 77th annual Tony Awards took place on Sunday at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theatre in New York City.

Belizean American Broadway actress Kara Young won for best Featured Actress in a Play for her compelling portrayal of Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins in the Broadway revival of Ossie Davis’ Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch.

Her achievement has made her the first black woman to receive nominations for Best Featured Actress in a Play three consecutive years.

She also won the 2024 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play for her work in the production.

That same evening, Maleah Joi Moon secured her win for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical. Moon captivated audiences with her portrayal of Ali in a new musical inspired by the life of fifteen-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys. Moon is said to have Belizean heritage.

Latvia Welcomes First Non-Resident Ambassador from Belize

Latvia’s State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andris Pelšs, was paid a visit by Belizean Ambassador Therese Rath.

Rath is the first ambassador of Belize to Latvia.

Secretary Pelšs welcomed the Belizean government’s decision to appoint a non-resident ambassador to Latvia for the first time. Both officials expressed their interest in fostering bilateral cooperation and collaborating within international organisations to enhance the effectiveness of the multilateral system, uphold the rules-based international order, and respect the principles of the UN Charter, particularly sovereignty and territorial integrity.

EU Provides Aid to Wildfire Victims in Belize

In response to the current wildfires affecting Belize since May, the EU is providing one hundred and seventy thousand Belize dollars in humanitarian assistance to families most affected by the disaster.

By supporting the Belize Red Cross Society, the EU aims to support two families or about eight hundred individuals, primarily farmers, who have lost their crops due to the fires.

As a result of the wildfires, more than thirteen thousand hectares of agricultural land have been destroyed. This has damaged approximately two hundred homes and caused over eight million US dollars in damages. Twenty-four villages and communities, primarily in the western portion of the Toledo district, were affected. These numbers might increase as the fires and further assessments are still ongoing.

*The European Union offers assistance to the victims of the wildfires in Belize/ The Belize Red Cross*

The effects of climate change, a prolonged excessive heat wave, and prevailing dry weather conditions helped spread the fires in the Toledo District and Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve in the Cayo District.

The assistance will support the provision of health, water, and sanitation services, as well as cash assistance by the Belize Red Cross Society.

As of June 13th, fires in the Toledo District continued to flare up and progress due to strong winds within the area.

BREAKING: Keyren Tzib Sentenced to Four Years, Ten Months Behind Bars

Keyren Tzib has been sentenced to four years and ten months in prison after she was found guilty of attempted murder by High Court Judge Candace Nanton in March. Justice Nanton found Tzib guilty of an attempt on the life of a colleague, Kurt Hyde, as they were returning to the Belize Coast Guard Headquarters in Belize City.

The incident took place on April 6th, 2015.

In court today, Justice Nanton initially set the sentence at thirteen years but deducted seven years due to the nine-year delay in bringing the case to trial. Tzib’s attorney, Arthur Saldivar, sought a non-custodial sentence, but the court considered various factors, including her mental health issues and the use of a deadly weapon.

Saldivar says he will be appealing the conviction.

Full story on News Five Live at six o’clock tonight.

Another Tapir Knocked Down and Killed

The Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic is reporting that a second tapir was knocked down and killed in three days. In a Facebook post, the clinic said that the incident occurred on the Hummingbird Highway on Sunday morning.

On Friday, June 14, News Five reported that a tapir was knocked down near Maya Center Village.

The Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic said, “Like many species, tapirs are vulnerable to nighttime and early morning collisions with vehicles, and this can have devastating consequences not only for the tapir.”

Belize’s national animal was buried with the help of the team at Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge.

The Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic is asking drivers to drive with extra caution on the roads, especially at night.

Putin Visits North Korea, Seeking Military Aid for Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in North Korea to meet with its leader, Kim Jong Un, signaling the deepening alignment between the two countries. This visit marks Putin’s first to North Korea since 2000 and is notable as he has made few overseas trips since invading Ukraine in 2022.

The visit aims to strengthen the partnership between Russia and North Korea, founded on their shared hostility towards the West and driven by Russia’s need for munitions for its war in Ukraine.

Putin’s itinerary includes signing a new strategic partnership agreement with Kim, replacing previous agreements from 1961, 2000, and 2001. The visit is being closely watched globally, especially by the US and South Korea, who have accused North Korea of supplying military aid to Russia. Both countries deny these claims.

Following North Korea, Putin will visit Vietnam, underlining Russia’s ties with another communist-governed nation, which is likely to unsettle the United States. Putin’s trip also comes amid high tensions on the Korean peninsula and ongoing international concern about North Korea’s military ambitions.

This visit reciprocates Kim’s trip to Russia last year and is seen as an opportunity for Putin to bolster support for his war in Ukraine. It also provides a platform for both leaders to demonstrate their defiance against Western pressure and sanctions.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detains Belizean

A Belizean man finds himself on the wrong side of the law in the U.S. After serving about half of his thirty-year sentence in prison for a home invasion in Lake County, Illinois, forty-five-year-old Alejandro Requena Junior was released earlier this year.

However, that was not the end of his troubles in the U.S. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) still had its eyes on him.

After his release, ICE issued a detainer, requesting his transfer into federal custody for deportation. ICE located Requena at his workplace in Villa Park, a Chicago suburb, after two weeks of surveillance.

ICE intercepted Requena, who was also in the company of his wife, as he drove off in the vehicle. He was taken into custody for immigration proceedings.

Governor-General Issues Writ of Election for Toledo East By-election

Governor-General Froyla Tzalam has officially issued a Writ of Election for a By-election in the Toledo East Electoral Division, as announced by the Elections and Boundaries Department. The writ sets the nomination day for candidates for Tuesday, July 2, 2024, with the polls scheduled to take place on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

According to the Representation of the People Act, only individuals whose names appear on the division’s register as of Nomination Day are entitled to vote in this election. The deadline for new voter registrations was June 10, 2024, ensuring ample time for the necessary due diligence, including the publication of supplementary lists and the holding of revision courts. Any application received after this cut-off date will not be eligible for the upcoming By-election.

In preparation for the By-election, the Elections and Boundaries Commission, along with Chief Elections Officer Josephine Tamai, has appointed Therese Martinez, Assistant Comptroller of Customs at the Belize Customs & Excise Department, as the Returning Officer. Additionally, Marion Nolberto, Education Officer I, and Venancio Ack, Acting Finance Officer III, have been designated as Election Clerks. This team will oversee the election process in the Toledo East Electoral Division, ensuring a fair and orderly vote.