Man Acquitted of 2022 La Democracia Murder

Tonight, twenty-year-old Paul Smith Junior is free of a murder charge. Smith was accused of the April 2022 murder of nineteen-year-old Tyreak August in La Democracia Village. Today, he learned from Justice Derick Sylvester that the crown is dropping the case against him with a nolle prosequi. Justice Sylvester asked Smith about his plans at such a young age. He also noted that Smith was a juvenile when he was accused, arrested, and charged for the 2022 murder, and questioned how he will adjust to life after spending over two years on remand at the Belize Central Prison. Smith shared that he plans to join the Belize Defense Force and be a positive role model for his younger sister and support his family. However, Smith also faces two gun-related charges for possessing an unlicensed firearm and ammunition while on bail for the murder. He violated his high court bail conditions, which stated he shouldn’t be arrested and charged with any other offenses while out on bail. Smith’s bail hearing for these charges is set for Friday, and he remains on remand at the Belize Central Prison until he can secure bail for the pending gun and ammunition offenses. We also heard from Smith’s attorney, Ronell Gonzalez.

 

Ronell Gonzalez, Attorney-At-Law

“The judge like other judges I have seen offered guidance to young people that come before the court. In this case he offered guidance to young Paul Smith to say that what happens from here in your life is dependent on you. You have the power to make changes from this point. You are now free from this case. What happens is your choice. That is some kind of guidance I have seen come before these courts. Madam Justice Moore does the same kind of guidance. Often times young people get caught up in these offense and they need some kind of guidance moving forward.”