Today, a man was handed two years and two months in prison for assaulting a police officer with a firearm. He is twenty-one-year-old Kenyon Flores. Reports are that around eight a.m. on June eighteenth, 2024, Luis Santoya, an off-duty police officer, was walking towards Wood Street in Belize City when he heard a woman shouting for help. He then spotted two men in the area, both of whom he recognized. One of the men, ran past Santoya while the other, identified as Flores, threw a purse, he had grabbed from the woman in his accomplice’s direction, causing it to fall to the ground. Santoya said that when he bent down to pick up the fallen bag, he came face-to-face with a revolver pistol, which he alleges Flores pulled from his pants. Fearing for his life, Santoya remained still, allowing the men to grab the purse and make good their escape. Shortly after, Santoya filed a report against Flores who was found guilty in court earlier today. The second suspect remains at large but his identity is known to the police. No charges have been levied for the robbery as the victim has yet to file a report.
Category: Trials
Keyren Tzib is Given Jail Time for Attempted Murder
The long-drawn-out series of events involving former coast guard sailor Keyren Tzib came to an end earlier today when she was sentenced to almost five years in prison after being found guilty of the attempted murder of her colleague. The incident during which Tzib fired an M-4 carbine, injuring Petty Officer Kurt Hyde took place on Easter Monday 2015. In the wake of the shooting, she was charged with three offenses, including attempted murder, dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm. A psychiatric evaluation was also conducted to determine her state of mind at the time of the incident. Since then, Tzib has been back and forth to court over this matter. When she appeared before Justice Candace Nanton this morning, it was her attorney’s hope that a non-custodial sentence would have been handed down. However, after carefully analyzing the facts and taking into consideration Tzib’s mental state, the starting point for mitigating and aggravating factors began at thirteen years. For the length of time that the case meandered through the justice system, six years were deducted from the possible sentence. An additional two years were subtracted, given Tzib’s mental state in relation to her guilt. For the time that Tzib spent on pretrial detention, two months were also taken away, leaving a prison term of four years and ten months. Following today’s judgment, attorney Arthur Saldivar spoke on his client’s behalf, indicating that the sentence will be appealed.
Arthur Saldivar, Attorney-at-law
“The offense for which Ms. Tzib had been charged and convicted of was attempted murder and in our jurisdiction, generally, the range of sentences has been eight to fifteen years. So one would appreciate that there was a significant reduction, although it was being urged on the court that a non-custodial sentence would have been most appropriate. We did not get that, but we got a significant reduction from the eight to four years, ten months. What was taken into consideration in respect of that was the mental state of the offender. The fact that she was not previously convicted, was a person of good character and it was also taken into consideration the fact that there was considerable delay. This offense took place in 2015, the trial happened some nine years later, in 2024. But there were also matters that I think should have been taken into consideration but were not and we will be addressing that on appeal.”
Reporter
“So the status is that she will be appealing. What will she be appealing, the conviction?”
Arthur Saldivar
“Both the conviction and the sentence. It’s a very sad situation that has occurred here and in relation to what happened with Ms. Tzib, this was a young lady who had no idea the person who raped her was going to be on a boat with her prior to this incident happening. She was already suffering from the trauma, being violated in that way. So one would imagine suffering serious mental illness as a result of being violated by a person, in the most horrible way any woman can be violated and being in possession of a weapon and that person also violated by being in possession of a weapon himself, how that would have caused an already impaired mind to react. So my heart goes out because I have a mother and I have sisters and certainly, I can understand a person in her position not being in control of the full faculties because of the trauma she experienced, reacting the way she did.”
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.
Oscar Selgado Gets 10 Years in Jail; D.P.P. Pleased with Sentence
Disgraced attorney Oscar Selgado has been sentenced to ten years in prison after being convicted on March eighth of abetment to commit murder. The punishment which was handed down by Justice Nigel Pilgrim in the High Court brings to an end a long-drawn out case against the well-known lawyer. In court this afternoon, family and friends of Oscar Selgado listened intently to the reading of his sentence, as Justice Pilgrim thoroughly outlined how he arrived at the decade-long prison term. Of note is that the trial judge reiterated the fact that Selgado has not shown remorse for the crime that he has committed. In weighing the mitigating and aggravating factors, this was a consideration made by Justice Pilgrim in meting out justice. Outside the courtroom, we spoke with the Director of Public Prosecutions who said that they are satisfied with the jail sentence that has been given to Selgado.
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions
“Our courts dispensed justice, so I don’t think anybody was expecting injustice today. We are pleased with the sentence and I think that the decision was well reasoned.”
Reporter
“He went above the precedent that’s been set, of six years.”
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal
“He’s not bound by the precedent. I think that we did cite cases to the court in our oral arguments which suggested that while that would be a consideration, it could not have resulted in what was being asked for by the other side.”
Reporter
“Are you able to say anything in relation to as to whether a process is happening right now regarding going before the G.L.C. based on the outcome of this case.”
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal
“I can’t speak on G.L.C. matters.”
Reporter
“What happens now, given that the appeal is in process?”
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal
“I believe it has been set for case management and then orders will be given in relation to the filing of submissions and then a date will be set for the hearing of the appeal. We think that the ultimate sentence is commensurate with the aggravating and mitigating factors in the case.”
Reporter
“What can you say about the fact that the judge stated that there are no sacred cows. This was a very serious offense but he did take into consideration his pro bono cases and how the public views him?”
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal
“In the sentencing process, the judge must look at the aggravating and mitigating factors of the offense, and also the aggravating and mitigating factors of the offender. And so, the judge had to go through all of those factors and it was in fact a mitigating factor that up until this time, he was making a significant contribution to the criminal justice system.”
“No Sacred Cows and No One is Above the Law.”
Today’s outcome was not what Selgado and his legal team were anticipating. On the lower end of the punishment is a six-year prison term that has been established as precedence. On the upper end is life in prison for abetment to commit murder. Selgado’s ten-year sentence takes into consideration the gravity of the crime he has committed. The judge also considered Selgado’s contribution to the criminal justice system through his legal practice. But Justice Pilgrim was also clear in pointing out that in the criminal justice system, there are no sacred cows and no one is above the law. We spoke with defense attorney Arthur Saldivar following the sentencing.
Arthur Saldivar, Attorney-at-law
“It marks the end of the first phase of Mr. Selgado’s struggle to vindicate himself. Mr. Selgado is certainly committed in his belief that what has transpired is not in keeping what was required legally and, as a result of that, has endeavored to appeal. So we are at that stage now where we are contemplating the appeal because there is certainly much to consider in terms of the process. That said, given what the learned justice has articulated, I think what is most appropriate for the public to consider is that he is making it clear from his belief and perspective that no one is above the law and that what applies to one must apply to all. That is a message that I think should go far and wide, from the streets to parliament. But, suffice it to say, we are now here at and of this phase for Mr. Selgado. We look forward to the other challenge and we look forward to a different outcome.”
Isani Cayetano
“Did you expect a sentence of ten years or were you perhaps considering that it would be on a lower side?”
Arthur Saldivar
“I have no expectations. We fight, advocate and whatever comes we deal with when it comes.”
Reporter
“How do you feel about the fact that the judge did not consider that the health of your client should not have factored into his sentence?”
Arthur Saldivar
“I don’t know that he did not consider it. The mere fact that he mentions it is consideration. The weight that he gave to it may not have been what, you know, would have been expected. But again, he’s guided by precedent. What we must bear in mind is that once conviction has been arrived at, there are certain parameters that the court must operate within in coming to its decision.”
Joseph Vaccaro Jr. Beats Second Murder Rap
Twenty-nine-year-old Joseph Vaccaro walked away from court a free man earlier today after beating a second murder charge. The Belize City resident was accused of the execution style shooting of a Chinese businessman of eighty-eight Shopping Center in November 2019. Zheng Cheng Liu was shot and killed near mile four on the George Price Highway. Vaccaro learned his fate when he appeared before Justice Derick Sylvester in the High Court. Prosecutor Riis Cattouse could not proceed with the trial because he was unable to locate the crown’s main witness. The D.P.P.’s office noted that the Belize Police Department had also attempted to locate the witness but those efforts were futile. Cattouse subsequently entered a case of nolle prosqui which set Vaccaro free.
12 Years Later, Calaney Flowers is a Free Woman
Thirty-seven-year-old Calaney Flowers took a plea bargain when she appeared before Justice Derick Sylvester earlier today. She pleaded guilty to manslaughter almost twelve years after she crashed into her ex-boyfriend, Lyndon Morrison, fatally injuring him. In the wake of the deadly incident, Flowers was charged for murder and remanded to the Belize Central Prison. She was eventually acquitted of murder and the Director of Public Prosecutions appealed the verdict. The Court of Appeal later ordered a retrial. When Flowers appeared before the High Court along with attorney Leeroy Banner, she pleaded to the lesser charge of manslaughter and was sentenced to ten years in prison. But Justice Sylvester the five years that she was on remand and ordered that the remaining five years be suspended, concluding that after twelve years in the criminal justice system, Flowers will not re-offend. With that, she was also able to walk out of court a free woman.
Tehje Vaughan Fined $15,000 For Manslaughter by Negligence
Twenty-five-year-old Tehje Vaughan was fined fifteen thousand dollars after pleading guilty to manslaughter by negligence in the shooting death of her friend and co-worker, thirty-year-old Charles Cantun. The incident occurred on April 28, 2023, outside Alaska Store on 2nd Street, where Cantun was handling his Springfield nine-millimeter pistol. Vaughan, seated behind Cantun, negligently took hold of the firearm, which discharged and fatally wounded Cantun. Vaughan, admitting to her lack of firearm experience, acknowledged her negligence in handling the weapon during her caution statement. At the start of the trial, Vaughan promptly entered a guilty plea. Her attorney, Leeroy Banner, expressed remorse for the tragic outcome, noting the close relationship between Vaughan and Cantun as colleagues at Holy Redeemer Credit Union. Justice Derick Sylvester, in a non-custodial sentence agreement accepted by both the prosecution and defense, referenced a comparable case involving Jasmine Hartin. Vaughan was fined fifteen thousand dollars, with five thousand dollars, payable to Cantun’s common-law wife by Thursday, and the remaining ten thousand dollars by September 2024. She was bound over to keep the peace for two years, with a default imprisonment term of twelve months, and prohibited from holding a firearm license for five years.
Twelve Months in Prison for Abusive Stepfather, Devain Flores
One year in prison for physically abusing his three-year-old stepson, that’s the time Devain Flores will spend for concurrent sentences that were handed down by the lower courts this morning. The matter, as we’ve reported, was prosecuted by Commissioner of Police Chester Williams. From the onset, the ComPol pushed for a custodial sentence to be delivered, in light of the public outrage following a video of Flores kicking and punching the infant. Flores pleaded guilty to the charges that were brought against him; however, last week, when he appeared before a senior magistrate, Flores’ witnesses failed to show up in court to testify on his behalf. This morning, following sentencing, ComPol Williams told reporters that he was content with the time given to Flores.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“I am satisfied, yes, that the court imposed the maximum sentence of twelve months. I wished they had run consecutively, but instead the magistrate chose to have them run concurrently. So, in other words, he will only serve twelve months as opposed to twenty-four months. But in terms of the magistrate imposing the maximum sentence on both counts of twelve months each, I think that the punishment does fit the crime. The child who has been abused and his parents can now feel at ease that the perpetrator will be behind bars, and so for that I am extremely happy.”
Reporter
“And the reason provided for it not to run concurrently.”
Chester Williams
“Well the magistrate did cite precedence and she is right in doing so and by law she does have that discretion. So as much as I am not too satisfied with that, she is acting within the scope of the law in so doing. The magistrate was extremely clear in her assessment of the matter, in terms of saying that we must send a strong message to persons who have care of children. As a society, we must protect our future. Our children are our future and if we don’t do what we can now to protect them, then who is going to do so. So I think the magistrate was very clear in that as well.”