Twenty-nine-year-old Wenjing Lei, a Chinese businessman, appeared before a Senior Magistrate earlier today where he was read two criminal offenses, including one count of use of deadly means of harm and one count of wounding. It is alleged that on February eighteenth, Reno Castillo was standing in front of Guan Fa Store along with another individual when an argument ensued between Castillo and the shopkeeper. According to the welder, during the exchange of words between himself and the grocer, Wenjing Lei, who was inside his uncle’s place of business, produced a firearm and fired a single shot which caught him in the foot. In court this morning, attorney Richard ‘Dickie’ Bradley appeared on Lei’s behalf, where he informed the court that the virtual complainant was present to address the matter. The Senior Magistrate explained that there was no such instruction to the court and briefly adjourned the matter. This afternoon, Lei’s attorney did not return to court and his client was subsequently told that since the allegation made against him involved the use of a firearm, he would not be granted bail. With that, Lei was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until March first, 2024. We understand that Castillo has provided an additional statement to police in which he requested no further court action, however, that information has not been forwarded to the court.
Category: Trials
Psychiatric Evaluation Ordered for American National
An American National is to undergo a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation in order to have her plea taken in court. She is thirty-eight-year-old Adeola Lara Ade-Ekisola, who was brought to court after allegedly assaulting a police officer. The mother of three appeared in court this morning where she had to be forcibly restrained for her safety and that of the others in the room during her arraignment. According to Ade-Ekisola, she is currently unhoused in Belize. She also stated that she is fearful of returning to the U.S. because of a threat to her life there and is seeking refuge in Belize. She demanded to speak to the U.S. Embassy to which the magistrate stated that they will be making contact on her behalf. Not much more could be made out from her statement, as they verged on incoherent. The court ordered that she undergo the evaluation as she in unable to give a plea. Until then, she has been remanded to Belize Central Prison.
CCJ Dismisses Appeal in Wilfred Elrington Vs Progresso Heights Limited
Today, the Caribbean Court of Justice handed down a ruling upholding the Court of Appeal’s decision in the matter between former Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington and Progresso Heights Limited. Just over a decade ago, Elrington as a shareholder in Progresso Heights Limited, visited the Lands Department and filed cautions on one hundred parcels of land that the directors were attempting to sell. This is after Elrington and the directors had a falling out. Progresso Heights Limited then brought a lawsuit against Elrington to have the cautions lifted. In 2019, the High Court ruled in favor of Progresso Heights Limited and awarded them over three hundred thousand dollars in damages. Elrington then appealed the matter at the Court of Appeal. The appeal was dismissed and the order of the trial judge was affirmed. Elrington then took the matter to the Caribbean Court of Justice to appeal the Court of Appeal’s decision. The CCJ came to the conclusion that there was no need to interfere with the decision of the Court of Appeal. Here is that decision.
Justice Maureen Rajnauth- Lee, Caribbean Court of Justice
“The court held that there was no reason to interfere with the view expressed by the Court of Appeal, that the question of whether the claim was legitimately brought by the company did not arise on the pleadings and was therefore not an issue. It has not been disputed that that issue was never raised in the appellant’s defense. In addition, the appellant did not seek to strike out the claim brought by the company. Further, the appellant did not seek to appeal the trial judge’s ruling, granting the company application to permit Mr. L Schneider’s evidence to be given at the trial by video link, even though the trial judge had accepted by that ruling Mr. L Schneider had the requisite authority to make that witness statement. The court also observed that the appellant made no application to amend his defense to ledge that the company’s claim had been brought without the requisite authority despite the strong objections by counsel for the company during the cross examination of Mr. L Schneider on that issue. Following these judgments, the appeal was dismissed, the orders of the Court of Appeal was affirmed and it was ordered that the appellant pay to the respondent cost of this appeal as agreed to by the parties.”
Attempted Murder Charges Withdrawn By Complaint
In 2023, twenty-eight-year-old Howard Reyes was charged for attempted murder, use of deadly means of harm, aggravated assault with a firearm and wounding, following a shooting incident in Saint Paul’s Bank. Today, the Burrell Boom car dealer is a free man after his last two charges were dropped by the virtual complainant, James Perry, who requested that no further court action be taken against Reyes. According to Reports, Perry had been walking home when a gray Chevrolet Equinox drove up beside him and someone inside the vehicle fired several shots, injuring Perry. Due to the nature of the offenses, Reyes was denied bail at the time and was remanded to the Belize Central Prison. However, Reyes was later granted bail in late 2023 by the High Court and now, in light of the complainant’s request, the remaining charges of wounding and deadly means of harm were dropped and Reyes was set free.
Six Days in Belize Ends with Six Months in Prison
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.
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.