After a mere six days in Belize, a Honduran national has been charged with illegal entry and is at risk of serving six months in Prison. Allegations are that thirty-nine-year-old Loren Rosales entered Belize on February eighth, 2024 through the banks of the Mopan River in Benque Viejo Del Carmen and has since being staying in Belize City, where she was later found. Rosales appeared unrepresented before a senior magistrate where she was read a single charge of illegal entry, to which she pleaded guilty. Rosales was given the option of paying a one thousand, five dollar fine or spending six months in prison, after which she will be deported back to Honduras. During mitigation, Rosales pleaded for leniency and asked the court for assistance in obtaining legal documents so that she may be removed from Belize earlier. Rosales was informed that if she wishes to remain in Belize legally, she must return home, obtain a passport and follow the proper protocol for such proceedings. However, she expressed disinterest in remaining in Belize any further. Since Rosales pleaded guilty and has no legal ties in Belize, the court ordered for her expulsion after paying her one thousand five hundred dollar fine or serving six months in prison. Tonight, Rosales is at the Belize Central Prison.
Category: Featured
Senate Inquiry Resumes in Belmopan
The Senate Special Select Committee continues to investigate the Portico Definitive Agreement. Since its establishment, a total of four witnesses have been called to testify before the committee, including two who were called to answer questions today. The committee’s focus in this session was on government land transactions that occurred between October and November 2020, only months before the general elections. Sean Duncan, the Director of NYNE Enterprises, and his business partner David Morales are among the individuals who purchased land from the government at the time for what the committee considers to be below market value. Duncan was summoned to testify before the committee. Former Lands Commissioner, Wilbert Vallejos was also called to testify. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The Senate Special Select Committee convened for yet another session inside the National Assembly. The first witness to go before the committee was Sean Duncan, the Director of NYNE Enterprises Limited. He appeared with his attorney, Andrew Bennett. Duncan and his business partner, David Morales, purchased two, fifty-acre parcels of land from the Government of Belize in October 2020. Those land transactions were among a total of sixteen properties sold off around the same time. The relevance of the sales to the agreement is that the parcels are located in the vicinity of the project’s proposed site.
Sean Duncan, Director, NYNE Enterprises Limited
“My involvement in whatever land transaction this is was fairly technical. I have a partner that deals with all of the commercial aspect of it, transaction. From my perspective I am not sure of the relevance of me being here, but I am here to comply with whatever questions you ask me. I am here because I respect this process and on the advice of my counsel.”
In his opening statement, Duncan sought to establish that his business partner David Morales oversaw most of the land transaction process. Duncan says he only signed off on papers authorizing NYNE Enterprises to make the purchase.
Kevin Herrera, Senator
“Our records are showing that there are two properties of fifty acres each, I think one I for fifty point one and the other is around the same size, can you confirm?”
Sean Duncan
“That is correct.”
Kevin Herrera
“And you paid, five thousand two hundred dollars each for those properties, our records are showing?”
Sean Duncan
“That is the reason we wanted disclosure because we could have reviewed the documents. I really cant remember those figures or anything like that.”
Janelle Chanona, the chair of the Senate Special Select Committee, questioned Duncan on the expedited manner at which NYNE Enterprises’ land applications were processed. And, when Senator Bevin Cal questioned Duncan on Morales’ involvement in the land transaction process, Duncan continued to somewhat throw his business partner under the bus.
Janelle Chanona, Chairpersons, Senate Committee
“We have documentation here saying you applied the seventh of October it was received the thirteenth of October and then you get approval the twentieth of October. When you got the notice from your business partner that you got the investment secured all within less than a month.”
Sean Duncan
“Something’s work faster than others I guess, from his perspective. But remember, I did not deal with that aspect.”
Bevinton Cal, Senator
“So, David Morales was the one who did all the paper work, went to the proposed land site, inspected it, applied for it; all you did was just sign?”
Sean Duncan
“Yes he is the managing director; he did whatever he did with the transaction. He brought a good opportunity I signed over, because I don’t think you can ever go wrong with lands.”
The second witness to go before the committee today was former Lands Commissioner, Wilbert Vallejos. He served as the lands commissioner for eleven years and appeared today with his attorney, Dean Barrow, who wasted no time stating that his client will not answer questions deemed irrelevant.
Dean Barrow, Attorney-At-Law
“I believe that you would have to agree with me that questions about land transfers or land sales in an area that is within two miles of the locus, site of the Portico cruise project, those questions has nothing to do with the end on which you have embarked. You can put any question you wish, but I am suggesting to you that you are not entitled to put questions that fall outside the ambit of your terms of reference. You are not entitled.”
Thereafter, every question that senators put to the former lands commissioner was met with an objection of irrelevance.
Wilbert Vallejos, Former Lands Commissioner
“Senator Herrera your question keeps coming about land. I am sure you heard Mr. Barrow, the terms of reference is specific about the Portico Definitive Agreement which I don’t know anything.”
Kevin Herrera,
“For me, there is relevance. You may determine otherwise but for us there is certainly a relationship so we really wanted to get an understanding of what took place that faithful day on November fourth but it seems you don’t intend to be helpful to the committee which I think is sad. The Belizean public certainly deserves a lot better than that, you being commissioner for so much years, being paid by the Belizean tax payers. So I think it is a very sad day in the country that you decided you won’t help or assist the committee in this investigation.”
It was then determined that Vallejos would be of no help to the committee during today’s session. He requested that questions be sent to him in writing and that a determination be made on whether the committee will request his presence at a later date. Former Minister of Lands, Hugo Patt was also scheduled to testify before the committee today. But due to time constraints, his testimony has been rescheduled. Paul Lopez for News Five.
Senate Committee Chair Persistent in Face of Unwilling Witness
Notwithstanding Wilbert Vallejos’s reluctance to answer most of the questions put to him by the Senate Special Select Committee, Chairperson Janelle Chanona continued to press him on certain records in the committee’s possession. One of the matters on the committee’s record pertains to the short time between the signings of the Portico Definitive Agreement and the sale of the lands in question.
Janelle Chanona, Chairperson, Senate Committee
“I put to you Mr. Viejo that the chronology the paper works shows that the Definitive Agreement was signed on first of October 2020. The land in and adjoining the Portico development area went from national lands to particular companies on the fourth of October and then in 2022 was purchased by Portico.”
Wilbert Vallejos, Former Lands Commissioner
“Madam Chair, are you giving evidence?”
Janelle Chanona
“No he is asking me to clarify the question. With all due respect, I am asking you Mr. Vallejos, the context of the question is, was there a process. The committee would be guided from an expert like yourself as to what was the process for national land to be sold to companies.”
Wilbert Vallejos
“You are asking a specific question and you want to give a general answer.”
Janelle Chanona
“You can give a general answer if that is what your counsel is advising you to give us. As a former public officer I am asking you to answer the question.”
Wilbert Vallejos
”Chair, I don’t want to be looked at as somebody who doesn’t want to help the committee. I have heard the questions you asked the former commissioner. I have heard the questions you asked other people about the lands. But again, in my humble opinion, those questions are set and a part from what you would be asking me. I am trying to see the relevance.”
Wilbert Vallejos
“But your expectation is not my responsibility.”
Kim Simplis-Barrow is New President of Cancer Society
Former Special Envoy Kim Simplis-Barrow is the new president of the Belize Cancer Society, succeeding Laura Tucker-Longsworth who served in that capacity for many years. The announcement was made earlier today, following an annual general meeting that saw the appointment of a new board of directors. Simplis-Barrow is joined by Vice President Sharon Young and Secretary Doctor Dionne Chamberlain. During the AGM, two resolutions were passed which permits the board of directors to establish a dedicated seat for the immediate past president to serve as an ex-officio member, providing valuable continuity and experience, as well as institutional knowledge. Secondly, dedicated seats will be established on the board of directors for the presidents of district branches.
Police Seek Steven Diaz for Murder OW Baker Josh Ku
The lifeless body of nineteen-year-old Joshua Ku was discovered at an isolated location along a dirt road in the Rhaburn Ridge area, near the fringes of Orange Walk District. He had been stabbed to death in the early hours of Sunday morning, before being dumped along a lonely road several miles away from where he lived with his grandfather in Orange Walk Town. Tonight, a wanted poster has been issued for the arrest of twenty-two-year-old Steven Diaz. He is wanted for questioning for his purported involvement in the murder of the young baker. As we reported on Monday, Ku’s family strongly believes that he was killed by his ex-girlfriend’s brother after leaving a nightclub on the morning of February eleventh. Diaz is one of several individuals who may be connected to the weekend murder.
ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division
“Yes, there are several persons detained for this investigation.
Reporter
“Do police have a motive behind this murder?”
Hilberto Romero
“Not at this time. All we have is that he was with these persons and he got into a car and left with them from the nightclub.”
Reporter
“Are you able to say whether someone they have detained has confessed?”
Hilberto Romero
“I cannot say at this time but the body has been located.”
Nadia Ku, Mother of Deceased
“It hurts me because my son is just nineteen [years old]. Next month he would have been twenty. And Josh wasn’t a troublemaker, everybody that knows Josh knows that Josh is a loving person, keeps to himself. If he needs, he’s going to ask me only, his mom, because it has always only been me and him and my parents, my dad and my mom, and my sister. He has always been, and I try, although he didn’t grow up with his dad, I tried to be the best mom for him. Even people that I know and talk to, I always say, my son, he does use to go to church. He has a good friend and he always comes and find him when he’s here and he’s like, “Josh, let’s go.” “Josh, where are you going?” Mommy, I am going to church.” “Okay, fine. Pray for me. I love you.” It was always like that with Josh. He was loving and caring. He did not deserve to go like this.”
Selgado’s Abetment Trial Concludes in High Court
A decision will be rendered by High Court Justice Nigel Pilgrim on March eighth, in a trial against attorney Oscar Selgado that concluded earlier today. Closing arguments were made this morning by attorney Adolph Lucas Senior, who represents Selgado in the criminal matter. Lucas put forward to the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryly-Lynn Vidal compromised a fair trial for Selgado who is accused of abetment to commit murder. Lucas posited that this was done when the DPP attempted to have the Commissioner of Police record a three-way call with her and Giovanni Ramirez who was allegedly hired to kill Marilyn Barnes.
Reporter
“How do you feel about the closing arguments today?”
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions
“I don’t think there any surprises from the other side in terms of what I expected them to come to say.”
Reporter
“He also submitted that Marilyn Barnes had no locus standi to complain before the General Legal Counsel. Does that hold any water for you?”
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal
“What is stated is not actually the substance of the complaint. She did actually have a complaint before the GLC and she had the right to make the complaint that she did. The actual nature of the complaint is not before the court, that was excluded at the case management conference stage.”
Reporter
“He said that you’ve not explained at all what happened to the DPP’s CDs.”
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal
“Tat was also dealt with at the case management stage. The copy of the CD also went missing from the Office of the DPP.
Reporter
“An argument was made likewise that there should have been expert opinion to validate the testimony of a police officer having heard a tape and that wasn’t done.”
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal
“I don’t recall that submission being made.”
Reporter
“Okay, so in terms of the judge accepting the secondary evidence, as well as basing the judgment on hearsay, do you feel that it’s a strong case that the Crown has?”
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal
“We wouldn’t have been prosecuting him if we didn’t think that there was a likelihood that he would be convicted.”
High Court to Hand Down Decision in Selgado Matter
In court this morning, Lucas asked the judge to set aside the evidence presented by Commissioner of Police Chester Williams and former Inspector Wilfredo Ferrufino. He argued that admitting the secondary evidence would be prejudicial to Selgado and pointed out to the court that their recollection of the audio recording was inconsistent. On the other hand, the DPP asserted that the testimonies provided by the ComPol and the former Inspector are standalone proof of Ramirez’s statement.
Reporter
“What does it mean that he’s also telling the judge and I think the judge also said himself that he must approach Giovanni Ramirez’s statement with a lot of caution? Could that hurt your case?”
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions
“Those are the words that need to be used. Those are ordinary words used in directions to judges, to juries when considering evidence. Giovanni Ramirez did not actually come to testify, he did not go into the box and give his testimony and he wasn’t cross-examined. So of course the judge is being asked to rely on a written statement, so the judge has to approach it with caution. That does not mean that he cannot rely on it and in this case, as you have seen, there are so many aspects of that statement that have been independently confirmed. So our argument was that of course, the judge can reach the position that he can safely rely on that statement.”
Accused Murderer Deemed Unfit to Stand Trial
Justice Candace Nanton has ruled that a Belize City man who stands accused of murder is insane and unfit to make a plea. Fifty-two-year-old Shedrack White is accused of the July 2020 murder of William Rubio in Belize City. In late January, Justice Nanton handed down her ruling in White’s competency hearing. She deemed him unfit to stand trial for murder. Today, White returned to the High Court to hear the judge’s decision on where he will be placed given his mental state. In handing down her decision, Justice Nanton noted that while Belize does not have any mental facilities to house White, he should not be deprived of the help he deserves. And so, Justice Nanton ordered that, White be detained in a safe place at the Kolbe Foundation, until further notice; that he is treated for his mental disease, namely Schizophrenia, and that reviews are done every six months as part of his treatment. The outcome of those reviews will be made known to the court, including any review that shows he is fit for trial. During the competency hearing, Doctor Alejandro Matus, told the court that after four evaluations it was determined that White suffers from the mental disorder. He explained that it causes him to lose touch with reality and familiar functions and that it can only be treated, not cured. Before handing down her decision this morning, Justice Nanton said that White has not been found guilty of any offense, but only unfit to plea. She further explained that the purpose of the court is to keep him safe until and if he could be found capable of entering a plea at a later date. Notwithstanding the court’s decision, Doctor Alejandro Matus has highlighted that it is likely White could ever be fit for trial. When the crown asked Doctor Matus what it will take for White to be released back into society, he responded saying White has to be on permanent treatment. When asked what would be the outcome if White does not take his treatment, Doctor Matus said he will be a risk to society.
Attempted Murder Trial against Former Coast Guard Officer Continues
The trial for attempted murder against former Coast Guard Officer Keyren Tzib is coming to an end with both defense and crown opening and closing their case. Tzib stands accused of trying to kill her former Coast Guard colleague, thirty-seven-year-old Kurt Hyde in April 2015. Allegations are that at the end of a joint maritime operation, Tzib took an M4 Carbine rifle and fired it in Hyde’s direction, hitting him once in the head. On January twenty-sixth, Tzib chose to give a dock statement in her defense. In her statement, Tzib explained to the court that she had no intention of harming Hyde. She stated that the gun had gone off accidentally because she stood up and the waves were rocking the boat at the time. She further noted that she had little experience with handling a firearm and that she is very sorry that it happened. In her defense, her attorney, Darrel Bradley, called two witnesses, Psychiatric Nurse, Ingrid Bennett and Clinical Psychologist Crystal Humes. Nurse Bennett informed the court that she treated Tzib between 2011 and 2019. She stated that in 2011, Tzib had an anxiety and depression disorder for which she was receiving treatment. Nurse Bennett further explained that only days before the incident, Tzib was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which may have derived from an allegation of rape. According to Nurse Bennett, Tzib was on medication at the time of the incident. Humes told the court that she did a test on Tzib in October 2023 in which PTSD was identified as the most pronounced mental illness. At the start of Tzib’s trial, the crown presented evidence in the form of statements coming from several witnesses that were on board the vessel at that time of the incident. Noel Lanza, a BDF soldier, stated that he saw Tzib stood up, took aim and fired a shot. Delon Castro, a boat captain for the Belize Port Authority, stated that he intervened by pushing down the gun after Tzib had fired the shot. Tyrone Young, a Coast Guard officer who has since passed away, said in his statement that Tzib pointed the gun towards the front of the boat then he heard a loud bang.
Michael Baptist Sentenced for Stabbing Eugene “Fat Back” Webster
A man who attacked his stepfather, stabbing him multiple times back in July 2016, has nine years and one month left behind bars to serve for the crime of dangerous harm. Twenty-seven-year-old Michael Baptist Junior, also known as “Chucky” was found guilty of dangerous harm in the High Court by a jury of nine persons, on Thursday, November thirtieth, 2023, before Justice Nigel Pilgrim. In imposing the sentence, Justice Pilgrim took into consideration the aggravating and mitigating factors, as well as a Victim Impact Statement from the stabbing victim, Eugene Webster. His starting point was thirteen years, after he took into consideration the fact that Eugene Webster was stabbed multiple times to the abdomen causing his system to collapse. Justice Pilgrim also considered the fact that Webster now refers to himself as being partially handicapped and the fact that the crime was committed with a deadly instrument. Justin Pilgrim further noted that the stabbing incident appeared premeditated and that the trust factor was infringed upon, as Webster placed trust in him and had assisted him financially on the day of the incident. As a result, Justice Pilgrim increased the sentence to fifteen years. However, because Baptist has a conviction for theft and showed no remorse during the trial, he increased his time by 6 more months, bringing the time to fifteen years and six months. Justice Pilgrim then deducted four years and six months after considering a psychiatric evaluation that Baptist underwent in which he reportedly expressed remorse and a desire to do better. That brought the sentence down to eleven years and twenty-three months. Baptist has spent the last two years on remand, leaving him with nine years and one month left to serve in his sentence. The maximum penalty for the offense of dangerous harm is twenty years.