Kenrick Longsworth Stands Trial for Murder of 3-year-old Boy

On January tenth, 2020, a three-year-old boy died inside a house on Lovely Lane, here in Belize City.  He was reportedly beaten to death and sexually assaulted by his stepfather.  The child’s siblings, ages two and four, were also badly beaten and left inside the building.  News of the horrific incident led to public outrage and a manhunt ensued for the capture of Kenrick Longsworth, the alleged perpetrator.  Earlier today, the thirty-one-year-old suspect appeared before the High Court where is standing trial for the murder of Mark Francisco Teul.  This evening, the child’s mother, Zema Requena, was called to the witness stand by the Director of Public Prosecutions.  Under oath, she told the court that on the day in question, she left home and went with a neighbor.  Upon returning home, she saw Longsworth sitting on a bucket and he appeared visibly upset.  When she inquired what was wrong, he reportedly told her that the next time she leaves, she should take along her children.  Requena proceeded towards the house and made the grisly discovery inside the bedroom.  Under cross examination Zema Requena became very emotional when defense attorney Andrew Bennett suggested that she was the one who physically abused the children because Longsworth had broken up with her earlier that day.  Requena subsequently stormed out of the courtroom before Justice Sylvester called her back.  She was cautioned that her behavior was disrespectful to the court.  The murder trial by judge without jury will continue on Thursday.