2024-04-11 - Channel 5 Belize

Accused Murderer Elmer Nah Proclaims Innocence

Accused murdered Elmer Nah continues to proclaim his innocence. He stands accused of murdering brothers Jon and David Ramnarace and Jon’s wife, Vivien Ramnarace. Last week, during the trial of the Bladen twelve, Nah slipped News Five a handwritten in which he said he was innocent and that an enhanced version of the security video which captured the murder could prove it. On Wednesday, Nah sent this newsroom another handwritten letter. In this latest letter, Nah highlights different time codes, pointing out certain aspects of the shooter. Today, we asked Police Commissioner Chester Williams about it.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“There are a number of evidence that circumstantial evidence that points towards Nah being the one responsible for that particular case, but certainly with what he had what he had provided, we will explore that possibility, but matter of fact, we are doing so at this time. So to answer your question, it is being looked at, but I don’t want it to come across as if we are exploring other possibilities because we’re not sure as to the nature of the case that we currently have against him.”

Reporter

So that video looks like. pretty grainy. Is there the potential to actually enhance that?

Chester Williams

“We have solicited the assistance of the U. S. Embassy and we had sent that video footage abroad and to some extent it was enhanced. Not as good as we wanted to, but the experts in the U. S. um, did do what they could do with it for us. The Matter of the escort, I believe I have addressed that before. We have looked at the surveillance footages from the van that normally does the escort as well as the barricade footages from the police officers who conduct this escort. And there is nothing, absolutely not one iota of evidence to support the claim that Nah is making. is not. You have to understand Nah is very crafty and now has an attorney who is who is ten times more crafty than he is. So, I don’t know what else to say. I don’t know what we have said to you that we have done the investigation and there is nothing to show that as you are claiming that there is reckless driving. No. There is none. There is none. The camera for the van is there. There’s no evidence to show that he has been threatened by anybody who escorted him.”

Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet Escapes Injury in Traffic Mishap

Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet is resting at home after he was involved in a traffic accident that could have potentially left him with serious injuries. Habet was reportedly heading from Santa Elena enroute to his office in Belmopan when his SUV and a truck collided into each other, and Habet’s vehicle ended up on its roof on top of the guard rail on the side of the highway. Luckily, the minister did not suffer any major injuries, but he was taken to the San Ignacio Town Hospital for observations before he was released. Habet has reportedly expressed gratitude to everyone who has sent well wishes to him and his family.

Over $72,000 Stolen From Westrac

A large amount of cash was stolen from Westrac in Orange Walk. The crime was discovered this morning by an employee who realized that there was a break-in. The employee observed that the building had been ransacked and that a window was broken. He found that over seventy-one thousand dollars was missing from a safe and up to fifteen thousand was taken from the cashier’s drawers. It is believed that the burglars entered the compound by cutting a hole in the fence.

Opposition Raises Concern Over Reported ‘Nepotistic’ Hiring in Corozal Bay

According to the U.D.P.’s Deputy Chairman, Alberto August, who is a member of the Elections and Boundaries Commission, there have been several nepotistic appointments. Reports are that the sibling of an elected area representative has been appointed as the New Elections and Boundaries Registrar for the Corozal Bay constituency. The U.D.P. says it raises concerns about her impartiality when conducting her duties. U.D.P. Chairman Michael Peyrefitte told the media today that this is concerning.

Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.

“We have serious concerns, especially when siblings of area reps or contestants for constituencies are working in the registration office. There is a lot that has to be done when a person is registered. You should go and check that the person lives there for example. Sometimes that has to take place at night, during the day. There is always the legitimate fear that if you have someone there assisting in a particular capacity then they can bypass all those checks and balances required for a person to be registered there. We would like to know exactly what role the person is playing there. We were informed for example that the relative of somebody in Corozal was employed for just a month. But, why just a month. What was so peculiar to have that person there for just a month. And, not only that, what did that person do, what was their role or purpose there. It just means we have to be vigilant with our scrutineering, we have to be vigilant to watch every aspect. Like when you play basketball sometimes you say, from the referee we have to beat.”

U.D.P. Criticizes New Minister of State Appointments

U.D.P. Chairman Michael Peyrefitte also took shots at the Prime Minister for appointing additional ministers of state. As we reported, three elected area representatives were elevated to ministers of state. Peyrefitte questioned the purpose behind that decision and the role that newly appointed ministers of state will fill. Here is how he puts it:

Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.

“I guess the prime minister must find employment for those he believes delivered in the March sixth elections, or at least to give them an inner track to maintain that majority of sixteen in the next general elections. So, he wants to keep everybody happy at any cost. But we must remember ministers of state are not full ministers. They don’t sign any statutory instruments. They don’t play any role other than being in between the CEO and the minister. The minister is the minister, John Briceno said that himself when referring to Chris Coye. I can’t see what the purpose of some of them was other than a bump in salary and privileges. Again, this government does strange things. We have a non-minister of state who is more powerful than certain ministers with Cabinet privileges. So, they create whatever they want to create. They come up with all sorts of things and so it would be interesting to know what these new ministers will do that the CEOs and the ministers were not doing before.”

U.D.P. Motion to Expel John Saldivar and Danny Grijalva Withdrawn

A motion voted on by the U.D.P.’s Central Executive to remove John Saldivar and Danny Grijalva as standard bearers for their respective constituencies has been withdrawn. The motion was tabled after Saldivar, Grijalva, and other U.D.P. officials, including Patrick Faber, boycotted the party’s national party council meeting. This did not sit well with certain members of the party. But cooler heads prevailed, and the U.D.P. is once again singing kumbaya—well, for now—as they work to establish a strong presence in the 2025 general election. Party Chairman Michael Peyrefitte told us more.

Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.

“Cooler heads prevailed to the chagrin of the media. You don’t like to see the UDP at peace and moving forward. It is an internal matter. We are a democratic party you know. But we are also united in the cause to proper representation of the people. People have their opinions in the UDP. The opinions are strong and from time to time we make those opinions known and our opinions count. This is not like the PUP where a person like Allan Pollard, even though he tops the polls every time he is told he cant run for mayor. That is not the UDP. The UDP is open and democratic. People have their views and sometimes like any other family, it leads to some strong talks and some aggressive situations, but the cooler heads always prevail. That is the story of the UDP since 1973 and so it is not like anything to get excited about. It was an internal matter. It was dealt with internally and we moved forward.”

Belize On Reel

Books About Japan Donated to Leo Bradley Library

The Embassy of Japan in Belize donated an assortment of books to the Leo Bradley Library today. The donation falls under the Read Japan project which aims to provide readers with an accurate picture of Japan. While the project is mainly targeted at young researchers who are interested in Japan, it is also aimed at opinion leaders and intellectuals specializing in areas other than Japanese studies. Chief Librarian Lusiola Castillo says this will add to the library’s collection.

Lusiola Castillo, Chief Librarian

“Our patrons are always seeking new and relevant information to quench their information needs and for self-development. Therefore, we need to be constantly updating and expanding our collection to meet these needs. The Read Japan project, with its wide range of topics in its collection, will be an added collection that will enhance the knowledge acquisition of Belizeans and visitors alike. The books will compliment our international collection and provide interesting read to our patrons on Japan’s history, culture, society, literature, arts, economy, business, international relation, and politics. And as you can see the displays, we have some of the books that we have acquired through the collection to the project for the Leo Bradley library.”

BREAKING: Man Charged for American Woman’s Death

Police have charged forty-one-year-old Maynor Rene Ancona for the death of American national Jennifer Lynn Griffith. Ancona was charged with manslaughter by negligence. Police Commissioner Chester Williams confirmed to reporters today that Griffith died after being hit conch shell in the head. According to the Police Commissioner, Chester Williams, Ancone reportedly threw the conch shell by mistake during a brawl that took place in San Pedro Town over the weekend.

OJ Simpson Dies at 76

O.J. Simpson, the renowned football player and Hollywood figure who was famously acquitted of charges related to the killings of his former wife and her friend, has passed away at the age of 76. His family announced his death was from prostate cancer.

Simpson achieved immense fame and success in football and entertainment, but his life took a dramatic turn with the tragic events of June 1994, when his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman were killed. Despite being acquitted in a criminal trial, he was later found liable in a civil case and served prison time for unrelated offenses.

His arrest, especially the televised slow-speed chase, marked a stark fall from grace. Simpson’s life story seemed to transcend racial boundaries, from his days as a star athlete to his celebrity status.

The highly publicized trial, often dubbed the “trial of the century,” stirred national debates on race, domestic violence, and celebrity justice.

Despite damning evidence, including blood traces and a glove, Simpson’s defense famously argued, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.”