Law - Channel 5 Belize

Murder Charges Dropped: Two Suspects Freed Amid Missing Witness Controversy

Tonight, two men, one from Belize City and another from Roaring Creek, are free from murder charges. George Hyde, twenty-six, and Devaun Garcia, nineteen, were accused of the shooting death of eighteen-year-old Eaton Thompson. Hyde was twenty-three and Garcia was only sixteen when they were charged. Their murder trial came to an unexpected end when the crown counsel dropped the case in the middle of the trial. The reason? He couldn’t locate his key witness, whose testimony was crucial. On April fifteenth, the crown called two witnesses to testify about the difficulties police faced in finding the witness, despite visiting his work and home. Two weeks ago, the crown requested one more adjournment. Today, defense attorney Simeon Sampson, who represented Garcia, was ready to challenge the admissibility of the witness’s statement. He expected the crown to try to enter the witness’ statement into evidence, but instead, they dropped the case. At around 2:15 this afternoon, the crown counsel informed the court they would discontinue the case against Hyde and Garcia. Justice Candace Nanton released the men but reminded them that it does not mean an acquittal. She warned that the murder charges could be reinstated at any time. Sampson explained that the crown’s witness had given police two statements. In the first, he claimed he saw Garcia and Hyde shoot Eaton Thompson while riding his bicycle. Six months later, he recanted, saying he was forced to give the first statement. Eaton Thompson, a resident of Mahogany Heights, was sent to buy tacos for his mother but was tragically gunned down that morning and never made it back home.

Alifah Elrington Steps Down as Head of Prosecution Branch, Returns to Private Practice

Alifah Elrington is stepping down from her role as head of the Prosecution Branch at the end of July. Elrington has been with the Government of Belize for the past six years. This morning, we caught up with her at the Belize City Magistrate’s Court, where she was handling an old case involving a Mexican national and four others, including a female police officer, charged with guns and ammunition after a drug bust in Orange Walk. Elrington confirmed that she had tendered her resignation. She explained that she was appointed as a Senior Crown Counsel with responsibility for the Prosecution Branch six years ago. Now, she’s returning to private practice as an attorney. Elrington mentioned that she had over seventy days of leave outstanding at the end of December 2024, which is why she’s taking immediate leave. During her tenure, Elrington prosecuted many high-profile cases, including the case against Elmer Nah, his wife Epifania Caliz, and his brother-in-law Manuel Caliz, which ended in acquittal. She also handled several cases against police officers and numerous sex crime cases in recent years. Elrington was the prosecutor in the case against former police officer Darrel “Tutsi” Usher, son of Minister Gilroy Usher Jr., who was acquitted of firearm and ammunition charges on April 23, 2024. Her most recent case involved charges being withdrawn against COMPOL Williams’ brother, Arthur Roy Williams. Elrington also prosecuted former police officer Dean Bellini, who was convicted and sentenced to three years in 2023 by then Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser for possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply marijuana, following an Orange Walk bust.

JLSC Acknowledges Receipt of Complaint Against Justice Hondora

The Judicial and Legal Services Commission has acknowledged receiving Jeremy Enriquez’s complaint against Justice Tawanda Hondora. As we previously reported, Enriquez filed a complaint alleging misconduct and judicial misbehavior during the proceedings of his recent constitutional claim. He is urging the commission to investigate Justice Hondora, claiming that during a recess, Justice Hondora was overheard saying he had already decided to dismiss the application. For context, here’s a portion of the recording where Enriquez’s attorney, Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan, raised the issue with Justice Hondora.

Anand Ramlogan, Attorney-at-Law

“Might I say this for the record my lord. I have seen something disturbing and I want to bring it to your attention for the record. During the break, and my juniors have informed me, they are based in Trinidad and I am based in Fort Lauderdale. During the break I am advised that unfortunately your microphone was on. They have no audience in the court and they couldn’t contact me because I went to have my breakfast. You are recorded as being overheard in saying you have made up your mind to dismiss this application already. It is unfortunate and I want to bring it to your attention because if you have made up your mind say so and I will stop talking now. If that is what the court is saying unintentionally with your microphone on and that is being heard by my juniors and they could not contact me and I am being contacted by WhatsApp that is an important matter. If you have decided this matter without telling me, without the benefits of my submission well come clean and said so, and don’t let me waste my time with the court. I am being frustrated, uninterrupted and trying to assist the court but it seems I am banging my head to a brick wall and I am looking and searching for a mind open to suasion. But if you said that during your break then don’t waste my time.”

Justice Tawanda Hondora, High Court Judge

“Whatever information you have been told is patently incorrect.”

Anand Ramlogan

“Sorry my lord?”

Justice Tawanda Hondora

“Whatever information you have been told is patently incorrect.”

Family Demands Justice for Leonard Baltazar

The family of Leonard Baltazar is once again pleading with the Belize Police Department for justice following his death on December eleventh, 2024. Initial reports claimed Baltazar fell to his death while trying to flee after an alleged burglary attempt, but his family disputes this, pointing to conflicting accounts that suggest he was restrained and killed. Tonight, they are demanding answers and justice for their late son. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

It’s been about four months since twenty-two-year-old Leonard Baltazar was found dead outside a cabana at Reef’s End Lodge on Tobacco Caye. Staff discovered Baltazar around 2:20 a.m. Initial reports claimed he fell to his death after attempting to burglarize the room of two tourists at the resort. However, his family disputes this, pointing to conflicting accounts suggesting he was chased out of the room, restrained, and killed. Vincent Higinio, Leonard’s stepfather, believes that if the latter is true, the incident cannot be ruled as self-defense.

Vincent Higinio, Stepfather of Deceased

“He thought that the intruder might have been dangerous. If he thought that, then why would you put your life in danger? Do you and as a citizen, your responsibility, your duty is to call the police not to pursue an intruder. You have the option, but his responsibility, was to call the police or call somebody to because he, his life was no longer in threat. Now I’m hearing also the question about a young man making bad decisions. And I believe we all were young, and we all made bad decisions at one time in our life. That doesn’t deserve a death sentence.”

The family has been pleading with the police to reopen the case and has been following up with them weekly. Leonard Baltazar’s mother, Maris Sanchez, says the police have not been forthcoming with information.

Maris Sanchez, Mother of Deceased

“So I haven’t gotten no feedback about nothing about my son, and it’s going on to five months now. On the eleventh of this month coming, it will be five months and no worry at about nothing.”

Sanchez explains that she filed for a death report about three months ago but has yet to receive it.

Maris Sanchez

“Everytime I go, they, I haven’t gotten no feedback on the report. And same way, like when I try to reach out to the CI Bs, who was getting my son murder, it’s like nobody try to come out to con, answer my questions or phone calls or any like that.”

The family remains uncertain whether the police are still investigating the incident. They claim that two months ago, they were informed by the police that the case had been reopened, but they haven’t received any updates since.

Reporter

“The case has been reopened, then that means that the case is now open. It hasn’t been closed. You haven’t been told that it was closed again.”

Vincent Higinio

“Since talking to him almost two months ago, we haven’t heard anything. Trying to call him. Going down to the Dangriga Police Department. He’s never available. So up to two months ago, we don’t know what the status of the case is.”

The inconsistencies in the reports and the lack of information from the police have deepened the family’s distress. They hope that by making a public plea, the police will provide more transparency in the investigation.

Vincent Higinio

“As a whole I would say poor people in Belize is very disrespected. The life of Leonard Baltazar is just as important as your life and everybody else’s life.”

The family warns that if no progress is made in Baltazar’s investigation, they will pursue legal action. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Enriquez Calls for Investigation into Alleged Bias in Redistricting Case

Last night, we reported that Jeremy Enriquez is urging the Judicial and Legal Services Commission to investigate Justice Tawanda Hondora. The High Court judge presided over Enriquez’s constitutional claim against the Government of Belize regarding the incomplete redistricting exercise. With the claim dismissed, Enriquez alleges judicial bias, presenting evidence to Chief Justice Louise Blenman, Chair of the JLSC. One key piece of evidence is a recording from the judge’s active microphone during a lunch break, where Enriquez claims a group of attorneys in Trinidad heard Justice Hondora say he had already decided to dismiss the case. Today, we heard from Enriquez directly.

Jeremy Enriquez, Claimant

“We wanted to record our concern that was based on statements heard ton be made by the judge hearing our case on redivisioning. There were some attorneys who heard statements he made during the lunch break. That statement was submitted in an affidavit to the Chief Justice. We also wanted to inform and make sure that the matter is investigated to ensure that such misconduct does not continue to occur.”

Paul Lopez

“I gather that one of the most alarming parts of the statement was not recorded and is that because the unofficial recording began immediately after the statement was made?”

Jeremy Enriquez

“Right, it was heard. The attorneys were listening to the entire case and when they heard that statement that was made they quickly decided to record the rest of the statements. But, they swore in the affidavit that those were statements made by the judge.”

Enriquez Demands Justice Hondora’s Removal

Enriquez has submitted an affidavit to Chief Justice Louise Blenman from witnesses who heard the alleged remarks. He’s demanding an investigation and wants Justice Hondora off his case. Although the claim was dismissed, the cost is still being appealed.

Jeremy Enriquez, Claimant

“The focus was what was heard during that break, what was recorded, and we want to ensure that it does not happen again. It distorts the integrity of the justice system and it may call into question the fairness of a judge who is making those statements during that lunch break. The judge will have to answer as to how he had made those kinds of decisions and statements. It clearly made us question the fairness and integrity of the system in which those kinds of decisions are made. This is a serious constitutional matter we brought up. Against all odds, we were fighting to preserve the democracy of Belize and for the government to abide by the constitution, that they had sworn to do and repeatedly said they would do. They did not. That did not happen. So when we took the matter to court, it is because we trusted the court to look at it objectively, to look at the chronological order and to make a reasonable judgement after hearing the entire case.”

Paul Lopez

“What if any response have you received from the Chief Justice in her position as chair?”

Jeremy Enriquez

“No response yet to acknowledge the receipt of our complaint. But those were hand delivered to the office of the Judicial and Legals Service Commission and also to the office of the Chief Justice and also sent by email to the Chief Justice herself.”

Belizean Neurologist Bestowed with Prestigious Award in US

Doctor Randall Edgell, a Neurologist who attended Saint John’s College and pursued his medical education in the U.S., has been honored with the prestigious Sydney Souers Award. Edgell, the son of Belizean author Zee Edgell and brother of journalist Holly Edgell, is a Professor of Neurology and Surgery and the Director of the Souers Stroke Institute at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. For the past eighteen years, he has led the institute’s stroke services in education and research. Speaking to News Five today, Edgell shared that he plans to use the monetary award to fund further research.

Dr. Randall Edgell, Award Recipient, St. Louis University School of Medicine

“Sydney Souers was a wealthy philanthropist. I guess he started his life as an admiral in the US Navy in World War II. He actually was the first person to lead the C.I.A. in the United States and unfortunately had a stroke. He was treated at our institution back in the 1970s, and at that time, he felt he received good care. His family was very grateful and then later in the 1980s, his wife left some money to the university to create this position, this endowed professorship in stroke care. And this was the award that I was lucky enough to receive a few days ago. All universities have this type of award in endowed professorship. It’s one of the highest honors you can receive as a university professor, and it’s given to people who stand out in their career for having accomplished special things in terms of teaching or research or national prominence. I don’t get to spend the money itself. I have access to – it is invested in stock market and I get to spend the interest that accumulates on that fund. And so that’s what I have access to each year. I think in my case, I’ll be using it to advance a type of research that I am involved in, looking at stents. Stents are small metal cylinders that are used to open up blocked blood vessels and there’s a particular area in the back of the neck called the vertebral artery that takes blood to the back of the brain and that’s an area where there’s not a lot of research on stenting.”

High Court Dismisses Claim Against the Security Services Commission

Earlier today, Justice Tawanda Hondora dismissed a case brought by the Deputy Commissioner of Police Bart Jones. The case, filed in 2023, aimed to review a decision by the Security Services Commission that recommended the Governor General retroactively promote Doctor Richard Rosado. Doctor Rosado, represented by attorney Wayne Piper, joined the case as an interested party. DCP Jones challenged the promotion, questioning seniority and whether there was an available position in the Belize Police Department for Doctor Rosado’s promotion.

Wayne Piper, Attorney-at-law

“The claim by Bart Jones was to seek the court to quash the decision to appoint Dr. Rosado, to promote Dr. Rosado on a certain date. The issue that was taken was that the date was earlier than the promotion date of Mr. Jones, which was seen as giving him seniority, giving Dr. Rosado seniority over Mr. Jones. The decision of the court was, I would say, we can summarize it threefold. One: that the promotion to the effective date, the court found a little difficulty with the challenge to that decision because Mr. Jones, himself, was a recipient of a retroactive promotion and there wasn’t enough evidence. The court’s position was that there wasn’t enough evidence led by the claimant to substantiate why the earlier date of Dr. Rosado should be circumvented. The other issue was the issue of seniority and in that position the court took the view there was a difference between the Public Service Regulations and the police force manual. Where the police force manual would have referred to Mr. Jones as junior, the Public Service Regulations has a provision that once the promotion is within six months of the other date, then they’re both at the same level. The court found in favor of the Public Service Regulations having superior effect over the police force manual.”

DCP Bart Jones Loses Case Against Rosado’s Promotion

Before the Commissioner of Police announced his departure, Deputy Commissioner Bart Jones had already legally challenged the retroactive promotion of Doctor Richard Rosado to Deputy Commissioner. Today, Commissioner Williams stated that he is not involved in deciding his successor.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I have not really read the ruling as yet, so I can comment at this time. The appointment of a Commissioner of Police is not within my purview as Commissioner of Police. That lies clearly on the prerogative of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Home Affairs. They decide who they want to be the commissioner of police, and if they choose to appoint Mr. Rosado as commissioner of police, then I have nothing to say about that. I just support whatever decision has been made in respect of that matter and moving forward, I’m supporting Mr. Rosado fully as we go through the transition period. At the end of the day, I want that when he takes over this department that he can be successful in whatever he intends to do to make this country safer.”

Duane Wite Charged for Daylight Murder of Coby Ledlon

After a nine-day investigation, police have arrested and charged Duane Wite for the murder of twenty-year-old Coby Ledlon. On March thirty-first, Ledlon was socializing on Iguana Street in Belize City when a gunman approached and shot him twice, including once in the head. At the time, police were holding a media briefing in southside Belize City and quickly responded to the scene. Ledlon was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in critical condition but sadly died the next day. He appeared in court today, where he was charged with murder. No plea was taken, and bail was denied due to the severity of the crime. He will remain in custody until his next court hearing on June thirtieth, 2025. Tonight, Wite, a twenty-year-old construction worker, is on remand at the Belize Central Prison for the murder.