Crime - Channel 5 Belize

Selgado to be Sentenced on June 14th; Will He Get Prison Time?

Sentencing for embattled attorney Oscar Selgado is set for June fourteenth, when High Court Justice Nigel Pilgrim will decide whether Selgado, who has been convicted of abetment to murder, will be given prison time for the crime he committed. The past two weeks have seen Selgado’s legal team put to the court several reasons why a non-custodial sentence should be handed down, including the fact that he is diabetic and is in poor health at the Belize Central Prison. While that is the view of attorney Arthur Saldivar, the Director of Public Prosecutions is of the firmly held position that Selgado should be given a prison sentence, notwithstanding his health condition. At the conclusion of today’s session, attorney Saldivar spoke with reporters about the court’s deliberations.

Arthur Saldivar, Attorney-at-law

“The court is guided by certain principles when it comes to exercising judicial reasoning in meting out a sentence under these circumstances. The court has to give consideration to the issue of deterrence, of rehabilitation, of prevention and certainly the court also has to give consideration to retribution. Every crime is an offense against the state, so the interest of the general public looms large under these circumstances. Suffice it for me to say that what also looms large is the particular status of the offender in this case, him being an attorney-at-law and a person imbued with a special knowledge of the law and what is right legally and what is wrong, not only legally, but morally. So these things loom large and these things have to be taken into consideration. Also, what has to be taken into consideration is the health of the offender. So with all this, myself, in representing and advocating on behalf of Mr. Selgado had to place as many as possible, issues for the court to consider in his favor, while at the same time not negating the existence of those issues that go against him. And, of course, the other side, Madam D.P.P. had to take out that similar exercise with more of an emphasis on that which should be considered to his discredit. So, insofar as that process goes, it was comprehensive, it was lengthy and we believe that the court has more than sufficient information that we provided, as well as what it has on its own to come out with a decision that would be fair and just and certainly acceptable to the Belizean public.”

Should Selgado be Given Jail Time for Abetment to Murder?

During this afternoon’s hearing, Selgado’s attorney put forward that the convicted lawyer also has a mortgage that he is required to pay and that he stands to lose his life, as well as other properties, should he be given a custodial sentence. Attorney Saldivar was also asked about the chances that the court would consider the mitigating factors presented on behalf of the defense.

Arthur Saldivar, Attorney-at-law

“This punishment may lead to him losing his life, it may also lead to him losing other things, if not his life, things that he was actively pursuing for his own benefit and the benefit of his family. But that is not to say that because of the existence of these things he is to be considered favorably, to the exclusion of any other person in society under similar circumstances, no. That is not what we are saying at all. What we’re saying and what I am saying is, this is simply a part of the compendium of factors that are peculiar to him and what weight is given to that consideration and the consideration of that is certainly within the sole purview of the court. There is legislation and in so far as legislation exists to make this a possibility, my sole consideration is to avail my client with everything that may be able to give him the best possible outcome. I don’t look to see whether or not I have a ninety percent, eighty percent or seventy percent chance of anything occurring, save and except that I will do my utmost best to put everything at my disposal before the court for a decision to be made. Given the facts that the court had to consider and the elements that were laid out, there are many aggravating factors that do not look good for the convicted Oscar Selgado. Suffice it to say that where the guidelines are concerned, the ones from the UK that we were tasked to look at, the issue of harm is set against the issue of culpability. So where those two things coincide or oppose each other, there is a consideration for a downward look at where to start. In this case, yes, there is high culpability because of the role of Mr. Selgado, his status as a person of trust, having been a lawyer for Ms. Barnes and then being the prospective lawyer of Mr. Ramirez. But then there is also the mitigating factor that no harm came to Ms. Barnes, and the truth of it is that, well, Ms. Barnes only learned of this threat after the threat was neutralized by law enforcement.”

1 Dead and 1 Injured After Shots Fired in Club

One man is dead and one injured after shots were fired inside a club in Corozal District over the weekend. Reports are that on Sunday, around one twenty a.m. twenty-four-year-olds Jamour Gabourel and Ethon Galvez were socializing at the Mi Compa Nightclub in Ranchito Village when an argument between ensued that escalated to gun violence. A single shot was fired inside the nightclub, injuring Galvez and fatally wounding Gabourel. The perpetrator then exited the building, firing off one more round before fleeing the scene. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the full report.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

In the early hours of Sunday morning, the silence in a neighborhood in Ranchito was shattered by reports of gunshots coming from Mi Compa Nightclub. A resident of the area who was awoken by the sounds recounted the incident to us.

Voice of: Ranchito resident

“It happened like around one twenty a.m. I was sleeping with my baby on site and my mom lives and sleeps over this side. So when she heard the first gunshot, she just grabbed my little brother and sent him to another room. Then she was scared. We all woke up. My sister woke up and she began to cry. She was trembling and we didn’t know what to do.”

She said that the terrifying ordeal lasted around ten minutes before the police arrived at the scene. According to police reports, the incident was caused by an argument.

A.C.P Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Sunday, the twenty of May, 2024, around one twenty-eight p.m., police responded to a shooting incident at Mi Compa Bar, Ranchito Village, Corozal District. Upon arrival, they found the lifeless body of Jamour Gabourel with a gunshot injury. Also seen was Ethon Galvez with a gunshot injury. Investigators said they were at the bar along with other persons when they got into an argument. At which point, a male person pulled out the firearm and fired a single shot causing the fatal injury to Gabourel and the injury to Ethon Douglas. We are seeking one suspect in regards to this investigation.”

Gabourel, who was fatally shot during the incident, had been celebrating a friend’s birthday and was at the establishment along with several others when Galvez, who had been standing near him, was targeted.

Voice of: Ranchito resident

“Then we heard the police pass cause we were peeping, kind of hiding us. We just heard the screams of a man shouting. The woman was shouting, why did you do that? And said, don’t touch him, you’re gonna hurt him. Then a while, just all the people gone. We saw the people running, screaming, were afraid of the gunshot. It was two shots they did. Two shots inside Mi Compa. It didn’t happen outside. It happened inside because we heard everything. We woke up because of this noise and the screams. That’s what we heard.”

Witnesses said that there was no security stationed at the nightclub at the time of the incident. It is not the first time a crime of this nature has occurred at this establishment. Currently police are seeking one suspect and are unsure if the victims are familiar with the perpetrator. Galvez is recovering from his injuries, while Gabourel’s family will be hosting a candlelight memorial at the Corozal Central Park on Wednesday. Britney Gordon for News Five.

A Paraiso Villager is Shot at Home in Targeted Attack

In another act of gun violence this weekend in Corozal District, a man was shot at his own residence in a targeted attack. On Saturday, around eight p.m. thirty-four-year-old Joel [Ho-el] Sosa was at his home in Paraiso Village when a gunman arrived at his yard and fired up to three shots at him, before fleeing the scene. Here’s A.C.P. Hilberto Romero with more information.

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Saturday, twenty-sixth of May, 2024, around seven fifty-three, police responded to a shooting at Paraiso Village, Corozal District. Upon arrival, they found Joel Sosa with gunshot injuries. He was taken to a medical facility where he is in a stable condition at this time. Information is that he was at Paraiso Village when a vehicle arrived, a male person came out of that vehicle and fired several shots towards his direction. We are seeking one suspect in regards to this shooting.”

Reporter

“Motive?”

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“We do not have a motive for this shooting.”

In Independence, Brother Kills Brother with a Shotgun

In Independence Village on Sunday, an argument between two siblings ended when one brother fired a shotgun at the other, fatally injuring him. According to police, the Ramos brothers were engaged in a fight when Eladio was shot and killed at the hands of his sibling. Sevin Ramos remains in police custody tonight, while directives on the charges to be brought against are being decided by the Office of the D.P.P. The incident involving fratricide was carried out with an unlicensed firearm.

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Sunday, May twenty-sixth, 2024, police responded to a report at the Independence Polyclinic. Upon their arrival, they saw the lifeless body of Eladio Ramos and he was seen with a gunshot injury. Investigation revealed that Eladio Ramos had a fight with his brother Sevin Ramos who got a shotgun and fired the fatal shot towards him. Sevin Ramos is in custody, statements were being recorded and this matter will be sent to the D.P.P. for directives.”

Reporter

Any idea what may have led this man to fatally shooting his brother?

Hilberto Romero

“They were involved in a fight, they had some issues and that is what led to the shooting.”

Reporter

“You don’t know what the issues stemmed from?”

Hilberto Romero

“No, they were arguing and then one of them got the shotgun and fired the shot.”

Reporter:

“Sir, was the gun licensed.”

Hilberto Romero:

“It is an unlicensed firearm.”

Kareem Kelly Comes Under Gunfire on Banak Street

On Friday, we reported on a shooting incident that occurred on Banak Street, near its intersection with Central American Boulevard. As many as twelve rounds were fired at a Kareem Kelly when two men appeared on the scene on a motorcycle. One of them got off the bike, fired repeatedly at Kelly, before fleeing the area. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero, the incident was gang related.

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“On Friday, May twenty-fourth, 2024, there was a shooting on Banak Street, Belize City. Upon police responding, they saw Kareem Kelly with a gunshot injury. He was taken to a medical facility where he is presently in a stable condition. Investigation is that he was in the area when two persons arrived on a motorcycle, one of them got off and fired the shots towards his direction. Several persons have been detained and are being interviewed.”

Isani Cayetano

“What is believed to have been the motive behind this attack?”

Hilberto Romero

“[It was] gang-related.”

Reporter

Is the victim known to police?

Hilberto Romero

“Yes, he is known.”

4 Men Busted with Crystal Meth on Chaa Creek Road

A law enforcement operation in Chaa Creek area of Cayo District over the weekend has led to the arrest of four men after they were found in possession of a significant quantity of drugs. Bernardino del Cid, Isael Chi, Luis Perez and Juan Sosa have been charged jointly for possession of crystal meth, a highly addictive and dangerous drug with devastating effects. The drugs, according to A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, were discovered inside two vehicles.

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Friday, police conducted an operation at the Chaa Creek Road, Cayo District which led to the discovery of a large amount of drugs. As a result, searches were conducted. Bernardino del Cid, Isael Chi, Luis Perez and Juan Sosa have all jointly been charged with two counts of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply to another and the amount of drugs is eleven point seven four kilograms and eight point six-six-five kilograms of methamphetamines.”

Reporter

“The information we received is that the police somehow intercepted a plane before it took off.”

Hilberto Romero

“That is incorrect. Two vehicles were searched where these drugs were found.”

Reporter

“Sir, was it all crystal meth?”

Hilberto Romero

“All methamphetamine, correct.”

Reporter

“We police already looking for these vehicles?”

Hilberto Romero

“It is an operation that was conducted in the area.”

Trial Resumes for 2016 Attempted Robbery

Today, Jamal Jackson, who was charged back in 2016 for attempted robbery, was back in court to kick off the trial. The thirty-nine-year-old was one of two suspects in an attempted robbery of a Scotia Bank night deposit to which he pleaded not guilty at the time. Reports are that in 2016, Jackson and an accomplice were stationed on Albert Street where they waylaid an individual making a night deposit. The plan was unsuccessful, as a police mobile making night rounds drove by, resulting in Jackson and his accomplice opening fire. Jackson was pursued and arrested. He was also charged with keeping a firearm and ammunition without a license. Jackson’s trial was to begin today but was postponed due to a juror who revealed that she was acquainted with Jackson and therefore, would not be able to arrive at a verdict on this case. Jackson, who appeared unrepresented, was asked if wanted to proceed with an eight-person jury or select a new panel of jurors. He opted to proceed with an eight-person jury so the case will resume on Tuesday afternoon before Justice Candace Nanton in the High Court. Currently, Jackson is out on bail.

A Woman Whose Bail Was Revoked Erroneously Released

A prisoner who should have been incarcerated was erroneously released and was walking the streets. The slip-up happened last month and wasn’t discovered until last week. Fifty-year-old Kervisha Harris had been before the court for several months on a charge of burglary. But she had not been appearing in court, so on April fifth, her bail was revoked. On April eighth, however, she was brought from the prison for another charge – possession of utensils – which was a crack pipe. She pleaded guilty to that charge and was fined a thousand dollars but that was where the confusion happened. Instead of sending Harris back to prison because of the revocation of her bail, she was released. This means that Harris was free for over a month, that was from April eighth until last Friday twenty-fourth, when she should have been in prison after her bail was revoked on the case of burglary which she still has to answer to. Police issued a bench warrant last week and picked her up on Friday. She was taken before the court today and was committed back in the custody of the prison authorities.

Ukrainian National Charged for Fatal RTA

Thirty-two-year-old Alinna Estell, a Ukrainian national, was slapped with three traffic offenses, including manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct and drove motor vehicle without due care and attention, when she appeared before the lower courts today. The charges stem from a fatal road traffic accident that occurred on the Philip Goldson Highway on May ninth. Estell, a naturalized Belizean, was driving a Honda Civic near mile nine when she knocked down thirty-one-year-old Gilbert Stephens Jr., a car washer of Lord’s Bank Village. Stephens was riding a motorcycle when Estell crashed into him. He succumbed to his injuries on May twenty-first. In court today, Estell was arraigned on three counts. No plea was taken from her and she was offered bail in the sum of five thousand dollars, plus one surety of the same.