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Oscar Selgado Guilty of Abetment to Commit Murder

Defense attorney Oscar Selgado has been found guilty of abetment to commit murder in an unprecedented ruling handed down by High Court Justice Nigel Pilgrim. Justice Pilgrim determined that Selgado had attempted to hire a gang member to carry out the murder of Marilyn Barnes, who had filed a complaint against him for unethical behavior. The judge found that the prosecution’s main witness, Giovanni Ramirez, was truthful and reliable. News Five’s Hipolito Novelo was in court and has the following story.

Hipolito Novelo, Reporting

From defense attorney to convict… Tonight, defense attorney Oscar Selgado is sitting in a jail cell at the Belize Central Prison. This is after High Court Justice Nigel Pilgrim handed down a historic verdict. Selgado was found guilty of abetment to commit murder.

Cheryl Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions

“Let’s just say justice was done. I don’t know of any other case. I’ve been here 23 and a half years.”

Selgado is facing up to seven years behind bars, based on precedence. He attempted to hire Belize City gang member Giovanni Ramirez to murder Marilyn Barnes, who had made a complaint to the General Legal Counsel against Selgado for unethical behavior. Ramirez was the prosecution’s main witness, and in his ruling, Justice Pilgrim determined that Ramirez’s evidence was truthful and reliable.

Cheryl Lynn Vidal

“He accepted the statement of Giovanni Ramirez. He found him to be truthful in his statement and that what was stated in that statement suffice to prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.”

From our records, this is the first time that a practicing attorney has been convicted of such a crime. In November 2023, after chastising the media, Selgado said he would comment when the trial concluded.

Oscar Selgado, Guilty of Abetment to Commit Murder (File: November 3^rd 2023)

“What is it that the media wants to ask me? To comment upon a case that is before a judge? I am not afraid of the media. I have nothing to hide. What I want you people to understand is to respect my privacy and I don’t want to see you back at this court until the case is finish. When the case is finished, I will give you an interview, and I will tell you what I think.”

Selgado appeared in court today in casual clothing. During the judgment, he stared expressionlessly away from Justice Pilgrim who pronounced him guilty. He had no words for News Five while being escorted to a waiting prison van at the end of the session.

Hipolito Novelo

“Mister Selgado, anything to say, sir?”

Oscar Selgado

“(No Answer)”

Hipolito Novelo

“You said you would comment at the end of the trial.”

Oscar Selgado

“(No answer)”

Hipolito Novelo

“How do you feel about the verdict today that you’ve been found guilty of abetment to commit murder?”

Oscar Selgado

“(No answer)”

Hipolito Novelo

“Any words for your family?

Oscar Selgado

“(No Answer)”

Hipolito Novelo

“Will you appeal, sir?

Oscar Selgado

“(No Answer)”

It would not be unusual for Selgado to appeal the verdict; however, DPP Cheryl Lynn Vidal says it will be difficult.

Hipolito Novelo

“Is there any indication from Mr. Sargaro’s attorney that they would appeal this matter?

Cheryl Lynn Vidal

“I don’t think they’ll be giving me that indication, but I’m certain that he will. I’m also certain that he’ll find it very difficult from what I heard to succeed on an appeal.”

Attorney Richard Dickie Bradley, who sat in the courtroom, described today’s events as quote, ‘a sad day’.

Richard “Dickie” Bradley, Attorney

“It is a sad day.”

Reporter

“What happens now? Obviously, he won’t be able to represent the accused people in the Bladden 12.”

Richard “Dickie” Bradley

“That is true. We have to make arrangements for them to be properly represented.”

Reporter

“What is the penalty or sentence that he faces?

Richard “Dickie” Bradley

“Well, the maximum under the law is that he can get life imprisonment.”

Selgado was represented by attorney Adolph Lucas Senior. He is to appear in court on April 29^th for sentencing. Reporting for News Five, I am Hipolito Novelo.

OJ Elrington is Charged for Rape

It’s been several weeks since we broke the story of an incident that allegedly involved a prominent Belize City attorney who stands accused of raping a pair of women. Tonight, forty-two-year-old Orson Jerome Elrington, better known as OJ, is out on bail after appearing before the lower courts this afternoon. His arraignment followed a single charge that was brought by the D.P.P.’s office in respect of a criminal report made against him. It is alleged that he raped a woman on the night of January twelfth, 2024. Shortly after midday, Elrington was escorted to the Queen Street Police Station where he was processed. Two hours later, he was taken to the Magistrate’s court on Coney Drive where he was arraigned in the courtroom of a senior magistrate. Earlier today, we caught up with Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl Lyn Vidal who spoke briefly on the matter.

Cheryl Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions

“I met with the complainants in the matter and based on what they said to me, we did additional work and it was at the end of that process that we were in a position to make a decision.”

OJ Elrington is on Bail for Rape

Meanwhile, in the lower court, Elrington was accompanied by his father, Hubert Elrington, and fellow attorneys Norman Rodriguez and Michelle Trapp. The Senior Magistrate explained to Elrington that due to the nature of the offense, she will not take a plea. When the prosecutor was asked if he had any objection to bail being granted to the accused, he raised no objection. With that, bail was offered in the sum of eight thousand dollars, plus one surety of the same amount. The conditions of his bail include reporting to the Belama Police Station every Tuesday, as well as surrendering his travel documents to the Clerk of Court. We spoke with Hubert Elrington and Norman Rodriguez following the arraignment.

Hubert Elrington, Attorney-at-law

“We believe that it‘s going to be very difficult for any of them to defeat us in a criminal trial. That‘s all.”

Court Reporter

“Can I ask a question? We know that the norm here at court is that persons who are accused and charged with rape, normally there is an objection to bail. Today, there was no objection in court today. As it relates to the law, tell us how that was.”

Hubert Elrington

“I wasn’t in court when that was gone through so you would have to ask somebody who was there.”

Norman Rodriguez, Attorney-at-law

“As it relates to the bail, there was no objection and if there was no objection then we really have nothing more to day.”

Court Reporter

“Okay, but as it relates to the law, does the offense of rape, does it appear as one of those offenses that the court can or cannot grant bail?”

Norman Rodriguez

“It is not listed in Section 16 of the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act. As a result of that, the magistrate can grant bail and she did.”

Court Reporter

“Tell us a little bit about the conditions to his bail.

Norman Rodriguez

“It‘s the usual, he has to sign in once a week. He must stay or not come within a certain distance of the virtual complainant or any of the prosecution‘s witnesses. He is to surrender his passport and if he needs to leave the country, he has to get permission from the court. It‘s normal.”

Attorney OJ Elrington Charged with Rape

Attorney Orson “OJ” Elrington was today charged with rape. He appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court where he was offered bail of eight thousand dollars plus one surety. The prosecution did not object to bail.

Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl Lynn Vidal told News Five, “I met with the Complainants in the matter and based on what they said to me, we did additional work and it was at the end of that process that we were in a position to make a decision.”

As we have been reporting, two women alleged that the attorney raped them. In January Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters that “According to them while on their way home they were told by the attorney that they would stop at his house for one final drink after which he would take them home. They agreed, and they stopped off at a house according to them and whilst at the house they continued to drink and taking some shots of tequila. One of them said that she drank to the extent that she could not recall what took place after leaving the nightclub until the next day morning when she was awakened on the bed in the nude beside the attorney who was also semi nude. And her other partner who was there with her at the same time told her certain things. According to them while they were at the house the night drinking, they began to become intimate and that intimacy lead to him having sexual intercourse with them against their will and then the next day morning when they went home the one who is from Belize City told her boyfriend what transpired and he told her to report the matter to the police. “

BREAKING: Attorney Oscar Selgado Found Guilty

Attorney Oscar Selgado was found guilty of abetment to commit murder by the High Court a few minutes ago. The Justice found that Selgado tried to hire Giovanni Ramirez to murder Marilyn Barnes in 2019. Barnesi had filed a complaint against Selgado to the General Legal Council.

Selgado was represented by Adolph Lucas Sr. The prosecution was represented by Director of Public Prosecution Cheryl Lynn Vidal.

Continue reading BREAKING: Attorney Oscar Selgado Found Guilty

One Injured in Motorcycle Crash

At least one person was injured following a motorcycle crash on the Iguana Creek Road in the Cayo District. Video shows one man receiving medical attention at the scene. The victim has been identified as Mario Martinez. The other man who has been identified as alert Quell is unharmed. According to Quell, he was riding with his brother on Iguana Creek Road when Martinez came speeding into him. Quell says he was unable to avoid Martinez.

More details to follow…

P.U.P. Routs U.D.P. in Municipals: 8 to 1

The People’s United Party remains on top after steamrolling all political opponents, including the United Democratic Party which it soundly defeated during the municipal elections on Wednesday. Tonight, we’ll begin with a recap of what transpired across the country on election day and how the blue machine overwhelmed the U.D.P. across all cities and towns with the exception of San Ignacio/Santa Elena. We’ll also show you what the Opposition Leader says following the stunning loss at the polls. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano to begin our post election coverage.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

The opposition, as well as all third parties and independent candidates, was walloped at the polls on Wednesday by the People’s United Party. In hindsight, this bold prediction, initially made on Nomination Day by Party Leader Shyne Barrow, will likely go down in history as egg on his face.

Isani Cayetano

“What is your confidence on the ground, in terms of the municipal slates across all nine cities and towns.”

Shyne Barrow, Leader, United Democratic Party (File: February 21^st, 2024)

“I want the Belizean people to see, with all humility, this is my projection. Nine, nine municipalities and it is not farfetched. There was a time where the United Democratic Party administered all nine municipality and no municipality was out of reach.”

Despite its best efforts, the United Democratic Party was trounced in Belize City, one of the most hotly contested municipalities in the country. By the time the ballots were being counted, halfway through the process, the PUP had already claimed victory over the Old Capital.

Bernard Wagner, Returning Mayor, Belize City

“I always have to say thank you to the people of Belize City and I also have to thank God, he has been the person behind me. I have to thank my family, I have to thank all the people of Belize City. But clearly, some of the indicators, essentially, are really significant from some of the key polling areas, constituencies of Lake-I, Pickstock, Freetown, Caribbean Shores. Clearly those numbers that we are seeing and are being forwarded to myself, we’re looking, pretty, pretty good.”

A total of four hundred and fifty-two thousand, seventy-three ballots were cast during yesterday’s elections in Belize City. Of that amount, roughly sixty-three percent of votes were in favor of the ruling People’s United Party. For the UDP, things got off to a slow start and ended in much the same way.

Dr. Nelma Jones Mortis, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, Belize City

“If you notice, I think, thus far, when I checked, I think about three hundred and twenty of our pledges have cast their vote. Each standard bearer is responsible for their constituency and for bringing out the vote. We collaborate with them, in terms of when people approach us, we pass it on to the standard bearers. So each standard bearer has their machinery set up.”

It’s the same approach that was employed by the P.U.P. area representatives. In Freetown, Francis Fonseca was able to secure seventy-six percent of the twenty thousand, eight hundred and five votes. In contrast, the UDP only had four thousand, two hundred and seven votes, or roughly twenty percent of that total.

Francis Fonseca, Area Representative, Freetown

“So we have a very experienced team in Freetown and so we have a very clear plan. So today has been all about executing that plan. You know, we’ve been campaigning with the team with Mayor Wagner and the city council team over the past few months, since the start of the year, and the campaign has been very good. They’ve been warmly received in Freetown, both in Belama and here in King’s Park.”

Taken as a whole, the turnout in Belize City, as in other municipalities, was lower than expected.

Alisha Craig, U.D.P. Councilor Candidate, Belize City

“I wish it was higher. I just checked the polls and they say it’s only about nine thousand out of thirty thousand. So, you know, that’s not really good, but maybe it’s a good sign as well. Like I said, that’s where the machinery, getting your taxis and everything in place to get out your voters. I think that’s what’s going to decide who wins the elections.”

Dr. Nelma Mortis

“ I was a bit disappointed in the low voters turnout, but I walked in confidence and I walked in confidence because I have put in the work and I have shared my vision and it’s up to the workers to decide who or what they expect for Belize City. And so, I did my best. I’ll be Nelma Mortis tomorrow, the same Nelma Mortis tomorrow.”

On the other hand, despite a low voter turnout, Eluide Miller was optimistic and remained so for the duration of the voting process, as well as the counting later in the evening.

Eluide Miller, P.U.P. Councilor Candidate, Belize City

“I’m feeling very excited seeing our residents flowing in to cast their votes. It’s a really beautiful moment and so we’ve been working very hard over the past couple weeks, past couple months and so it all comes down to today. Today is what matters most. I am very excited and yeah, I’m happy.”

Ultimately, returning mayor Bernard Wagner has secured a third term in office, along with his team of ten councilors, five of whom are carrying over from the previous Belize City Council.

Isani Cayetano

“It’s rare that we see, if perhaps not the first time that we’re seeing someone go for three consecutive terms in municipal office.”

Bernard Wagner

“I am telling you it’s overwhelming for me, personally. Really overwhelming. When I started in 2018, I could never conceive in my own mind that at some point in time I would be grappling with the idea of being a three-term mayor. But I believe in the will of the people and clearly the people in Belize City have spoken resoundingly again. And so, we are really excited to be able to serve the people again.”

Isani Cayetano for News Five.

P.U.P. Slate Dominates in Belmopan

The entire People’s United Party’s slate won convincingly in the City of Belmopan. This is the second straight municipal victory for the P.U.P. in the Capital City. In a municipality with ten thousand registered voters, fifty-five percent showed up to cast their ballots. That is a two percent increase from the 2021 municipal elections voters’ turnout. But unlike past years, the majority of those registered voters were from Belmopan East, where both Mayor Elect Pablo Cawich and Area Representative Oscar Mira reside. This is also the second consecutive loss for Jacklyn Burns as the United Democratic Party’s mayoral candidate in Belmopan. News Five’s Paul Lopez was in the Garden City. He filed the following report.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Belmopan voters began streaming into their respective polling stations as early as seven a.m. when the polls were opened. Between seven and eight a.m., a total of five hundred and seventy-nine voters had already cast their ballots. We spoke with a few voters to get a sense of their thought process going into the polling stations.

Jasmine Rhamdas, Belmopan Voter

“I look for someone like myself, a leader, someone that goes out and work for us, I don’t want anyone to think about themselves. Because being mayor or councilor we need you guys to step up and work for the community.”

Christopher Broaster, Belmopan Voter

“Election time is one of those important time of the year where we come out to make our voices be heard and to put in the people that we believe will help move our area forward you know.”

Both political camps had their machineries on the ground working. And if the number of political shirts on each side was a foreshadowing of how the day would end, the People’s United Party would have won at the start of the elections. But, the polls were still open and both slates remained confident of a victory.

Chris Enriquez, P.U.P. Councilor Elect, Belmopan

“I think our supporters are coming out. So far like I said this morning was a bit slow but it is starting to pick up. This afternoon we are going to see majority of our supporters are out. We are confident and we are just going to wait until the results are out.”

Jacklyn Burns, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, Belmopan

“You know when you do your homework you are confident in the grade you are going to get. I have done my homework. I have walked in many house as I could. Now it is just to get our voters out to cast their votes.”

The lowest number of voter turnout was between twelve and one p.m., but those numbers began to increase throughout the afternoon. And by five p.m. more than four thousand Belmopan voters had already cast their votes.

Pablo Cawich, P.U.P. Mayor Elect, Belmopan

“The day in my view went very well. The machinery executed what it had to do and in our view this victory has been sealed.”

Jacklyn Burns

“You know when you do your homework you don’t get scared when the teacher asked the tough questions. I am like eight-five percent confident, that is where it is.”

Burns ran on the support of former Belmopan U.D.P. Area Representative, John Saldivar. He was Burn’s campaign manager, but remained out of the spotlight throughout the course of the day. Saldivar showed up to vote half an hour before the polling stations closed.

John Saldivar, Former U.D.P. Area Rep, Belmopan

“Now I am coming to vote. I will put my ex there for my team. All morning I have been working hard to make sure that things work out well and I am very happy with the results so far and I am waiting on the counting, I am very confident.”

Polling stations closed at six p.m. At the end of the day a total of five thousand, five hundred and eighty-five registered voters exercised their democratic right in Belmopan. Boxes from two other polling stations began arriving at the counting station an hour later and the counting process officially began. By nine p.m., unofficial numbers began trickling out of the counting room. Early indications were that Cawich and his team were in the lead, much to the delight of the PUP supporters who were on the outside waiting. Three hours into the counting process, Area Representative Oscar Mira emerged to unofficially declare victory for the PUP in Belmopan.

Oscar Mira, Area Representative, Belmopan

“Unofficially but we have won in Belmopan, the east has won significantly, the west has won significantly, in central we were even, we won north. Unofficially, but in Belmopan the People’s United Party remains in City Council.”

But it was not until midnight that the official counting process was over and a winner was declared in the Capital City. Chris Enriquez received the most votes for the day, while most of Cawich’s slate won by five hundred to a thousand votes.

Pablo Cawich

“The first thing we need to do is to get into the city council and start doing an analysis as to what is presently in place and what has been happening over the past term.”

Jackyln Burns

“The people have spoken. This is the electoral process, congratulations to the winners. I need time to sleep, with that said goodnight.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

PM Briceño Believes in Alignment of Governments

The harmony between the municipal and central government, based on the party in power, has been a topic of much discussion leading up to yesterday’s national vote. While it can be argued that municipalities should remain autonomous, it can also be debated that the alignment of both forms of government bodes well for initiatives being undertaken in all cities and town. Prime Minister John Briceño believes in the positioning of both entities for optimal performance.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I think it speaks well for the party, both a national and local level because we have been ensuring that we are performing at the local level and one of the things that we did when we had a meeting with all of the mayoral candidates about three Mondays ago. And we’re telling them now that at the national level, I think that we have even a greater responsibility to be able to monitor them closer to ensure that they are living up to the manifesto promises and that also they can be managing the finances as best as possible, as efficient as possible and then we could join with them, that we believe we can do a lot more. For instance, my community development fund , I give twelve thousand of my community development fund, I pass it on to the town council because then we could double that money because we could buy materials with the money that that provides and the town council has the manpower to be able to do whatever small projects we want to do. Also this speaks well for central government because it shows that people are feeling the good work of what we’re doing, reducing unemployment by 3.2%, reducing the national debt from a 133% to 63% to be able to grow the economy much faster than IMF ever thought possible. These things have a positive effect on the lives of people.”

Opposition Leader Reviews U.D.P. Failure At Polls

As we reported earlier, Leader of the Opposition, Moses “Shyne” Barrow predicted a clean sweep for the United Democratic Party across all nine municipalities. Well, tonight Barrow is admitting that he erred in making such a prediction. But, he says the U.D.P.’s failure at the polls was not all the party’s fault. He contends that foreign government interference and the People’s United Party’s increased infrastructural investments leading up to the municipals persuaded voters.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“In our democracy the people have to be convinced that the decision they are making is the right ne and unfortunately in Belize there were rampant foreign interference. You had foreign governments donating sixteen million dollars grants weeks before the elections, one million dollar grant in Belmopan to build houses, sixty days before the elections. Those things are disgusting and blatant interference. You have BTB fifty million dollar bond used for municipal projects sixty days before the elections for the candidates and you had this whirlwind blitz of government resources being used, national government resources being used to convince the people that something was happening. The other part is that we have more work to do as a political organization. Our candidates have more work to do to make sure we can penetrate all of the interference, whether it is foreign governments, the tens of millions of dollars being spent on elections, obviously the opposition cannot match that dollar for dollar. The way we could match it is through our capacity, our intellectual capacity, personalities and all the things that make you a potential area representative. I think we need to do work as far as strengthening our capacities so that we can convince people that despite them being plied with treats that we still have the highest cost of living ever, ramped crime corruption, the stevedores have a problem, the caneros have a problem, the teachers have a problem, right on the eve of elections.”