Brother Fatally Stabs Brother in Bella Vista Village  

We begin this evening’s newscast with a case of fratricide in Bella Vista Village, where a brother turned on his brother while they were drinking. The two reportedly got embroiled in an altercation, and in the process, one ended up dead. The incident got out of control when thirty-seven-year-old John Bo struck his younger brother, twenty-six-year-old Matyas Carlos Bo in the head with an object and Matyas reacted with deadly force, stabbing John in the chest with a screwdriver. The pair was arguing over a bottle of rum initially, but it soon included other issues, according to their father. Police have arrested and charged Matyas Bo with murder while their father is preparing to bury John. News Five’s Marion Ali spoke with Mariano Bo about how the incident has spun his life upside down. Here’s the story.

 

Marion Ali, Reporting

Thirty-seven-year-old John Bo is dead from a stab wound to the chest. The accused murderer is his brother, twenty-six-year-old Matyas Carlos Bo.  The siblings were drinking in Bella Vista Village for much of Wednesday morning, along with a friend. Throughout their lives, the two brothers reportedly lived well together and were always there for each other.

 

                      Mariano Bo

Mariano Bo, Father of Bo Brothers

“They eat together. They drink together. I don’t see what happened. I don’t know. I really don’t understand it. I don’t know why.  There are two brothers who love one another. They take part for one another.”

 

Mariano Bo was at home sometime around eleven a.m., when Matyas arrived, apparently wounded. Matyas told his father that John hit him in the head and that he, in turn, stabbed John.

 

Mariano Bo

“Da bwai come in, I see a big cut pahn ih head. I tell ah, what happened? I tell ah. I see ih come in, I see ih full of blood. Then ih tell me John Bo beat me, ih seh. Why unu di fight, I tell ah. Unu da brothers, I tell ah. I think I stab ah too, but I don’t know for real, ih seh. I lost.”

 

                                 John Bo

Police responded to a report in the village on Wednesday, around ten-forty-seven a.m., and upon their arrival, they discovered the body of John Bo, with a fatal stab wound. An initial investigation revealed that Bo was socializing at his house when his brother fatally stabbed him. While reports are that the brothers were arguing over a bottle of rum that they were consuming, Mariano Bo told News 5 that he believes his sons had gotten into a fight over a female friend who he saw when he passed by John’s house just minutes before the incident happened.

 

Mariano Bo

“I just passed there about fifteen minutes when this thing happened. I talked to the two of them. I talked to the next one, Matyas. I tell ah, Matyas, go home I tell ah.” Yes, but I feel bad,” he tell me. “I done get enough.” I said, go home and go rest. I tell ah. They were drinking. And the next one, John. I tell ah, John, I mi think you gone da work today, I tell ah. He said, “no, daddy., he said, “I can’t work. I wa drink til I dead. The lady mi deh right deh with dehn.”

 

Marion Ali

“So the friend was a female who was with them?”

 

Mariano Bo

“Yeah. I di try contact she I di try find she right now, fi talk to she, ask her what happened. I don’t see she nowhere.”

 

Matyas’ mother has been living with Mariano Bo since his older son, John, was a little boy and she helped Mariano to raise him. She had advised him to give up drinking.

 

                      Linda Cucul

Linda Cucul, Mother of Carlos Matyas

“I always advise he when he come to me. I talk to him, tell him stop drink, stop drink. Yes Lin, Like that ih tell mi. Yes, Lin. I wanna stop, but I know how to stop them. You have to stop. I tell  go work. Continue work. You don’t have to drink.”

 

For Mariano Bo, it’s difficult to lose both sons because of violence.

 

Mariano Bo

“I feel bad, I feel bad. Like I said, the two of them in one family, that’s no joke. That’s no joke. I feel it.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Tyrike Supal’s Murder Charge is Dismissed; No Reason Given

                         Nigel Williams

Thirty-year-old Nigel Williams was ambushed near the corners of Saint Joseph and Saint Thomas streets, as he drove his taxi on the night of March twenty-second, 2024.  He came under deadly gunfire and perished at the scene of the shooting.  In the wake of the incident, police arrested twenty-four-year-old Tyrike Supal and held him on remand for the past five months.  Today, Supal appeared unrepresented before the Chief Magistrate in Courtroom Number One, where the prosecution informed the court that they had received a memorandum from the DPP’s office instructing that the charge of murder be dismissed against Supal.  No reasons were given, but today was set for disclosure to be provided to the murder suspect.  That disclosure was not ready.

Police Arrest 18-year-old for Shooting Police Station

On Sunday, June twenty-third, the Roaring Creek Police Station came under heavy gunfire while an officer stood in front of the building and his colleagues were on duty inside. Today, police informed that they have charged eighteen-year-old Shamar Smith of Belize City with Aggravated Assault, Damage to Property, and Mischievous Act. The gunman who wore a white hoodie, opened fire at the station at around twelve-thirty a.m. No one was injured, but the Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams condemned the brazen act the following morning. Investigators recovered eighteen expended shells at the scene.

Elmer Nah Finally Indicted on 3 Counts of Murder

Today, former police officer, Elmer Nah was indicted on six counts for the December 2022 triple murder of Jon, David, and Vivian Ramnarace in Belmopan, and for the attempted murder of Yemi Alberto. He appeared in court, represented by Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith, and was read the first indictment of three counts of murder, and one count of attempted murder. His second indictment included one count of use of deadly means of harm and one count of wounding which will be tried by a jury. Nah pleaded not guilty to all charges. Justice Pilgrim informed Nah that he has the right to a bail application; the right to enter a guilty plea and the right to a deduction of his sentence if he were to plead guilty. Justice Pilgrim then said that if he pleaded not guilty, his case would be heard by a judge alone, however, the second indictment for use of deadly means of harm and wounding would be heard before a jury. Nah was informed of his right to enter into a plea discussion with the crown where he, his attorney, and the prosecution will discuss his case after which, they may offer him the opportunity to plea to a lesser charge or an opportunity for him to plea to another charge.

Bladen 12 Return to Court, Voir Dire Completed

The voir dire for the Bladen twelve defendants has finally been completed, after nine months of proceedings before Senior Magistrate Baja Shoman. The twelve defendants are accused of being involved in the landing of a drug plane near Bladen Village on the Southern Highway with twenty-two bales of cocaine, and a cache of high-powered weapons on the night of November fifth, 2021. Today, defense attorney Leeroy Banner told the media what came out of the last two days of court proceedings.

 

Leeroy Banner, Defense Attorney

“We finally close the evidence as it relates to the voire dire. The three accused persons gave dock statements and they explained to the court what took place on the day they were detained. And they explained to the magistrate what ordeals they had endured. So now we are finished with the evidence taking aspect of the voire dire. Now we have to do written submissions and the court has given us time to prepare our submissions and then we come back to court on the 17th of December, where the learned trial magistrate will give a ruling as to whether or not she would accept the overall statement and the caution statement that were given by the accused persons.”

 

Reporter

“And how long have we been in void here?”

 

Leeroy Banner

“I’ve lost track. It has been months, I would say. We have been here from January this year. So it’s almost eight to nine months we have been in this voire dire. Medical evidence were tendered, medico legal forms were submitted on the Crown’s case, which I believe could assist the court in coming to a conclusion one way or the other.”

 

Reporter

“So it is your hope that these will not be accepted?”

 

Leeroy Banner

“No, well, I can’t comment on that, but we have challenged the statements saying that it was not given freely, and that is my instruction that I don’t want to comment on the merits or demerits of that, because that is a life issue before the trial magistrate.”

 

Shooting Victim Demands Justice

Tonight, a Belize City resident is living in fear inside his own home after he was allegedly targeted during a raid of his property on Monday night. He claims that he was at his home on Matura Street when he stepped outside to use the bathroom in an adjacent building when he heard the footsteps nearby. He claims that shortly after, he found himself face-to-face with a group of police officers, suited in dark clothing. Fearing for his life, he surrendered, showing he had no weapons on his person. Nonetheless, he alleges that he was shot at several times with rubber bullets and taken to the police station. He says that the event has left him traumatized and concerned for the wellbeing of his newborn child. We spoke with him earlier today for more details of the incident.

 

           Voice of: Belize City Shooting Victim

Voice of: Belize City Shooting Victim

“I come use the lee and thing. And it sound like people di run through the yard and thing. And when I come out back fi go back inna my family house, I run straight into a gun man. And as he see me, he buss wa shot atta me and I run cause I run fo my life. I just got my newborn you understand me? I run fi my life now and when I run, they buss two more shot. And I done surrender. When I surrender, da den they shot me. I end up da hospital. I have to gone check if they damage my ribs or something. They deal with me real stiff. Real stiff. You understand?”

 

Britney Gordon

“Around what time did this happen?”

 

Voice of: Belize City Shooting Victim

“About round eleven, twelve soh.”

 

Britney Gordon

“So you’re unsure of who shot you?”

 

Voice of: Belize City Shooting Victim

“Mami nobody she nothing. You understand? When I come out, I just see somebody dress inna full black, mask down everything. Then when I come out now da then I get the sense dat da police I just surrender. And as I surrender, they shot me.”

 

Britney Gordon

“So you were unarmed and you were not making any threats towards them or anything?”

 

Voice of: Belize City Shooting Victim

“I mi unarmed.. I noh have no firearm or nothing. You understand?”

 

Britney Gordon

“And did they state a reason for coming to raid your house?”

 

Voice of: Belize City Shooting Victim

“No ney noh tell me nothing. Ney ker me da hospital and after that, ney ker me straight da cell block. I inna pain da cell block. I had to mi gone da hospital right ya soh gine checkup pan thing. See if they damage part of my inside or something. Da when I done use the bathroom, I come out cuz I hear people di run through the yard. I look fi back upstairs inna my family house go lock up and thing. And right deh as he see mi he buss ah shot atta me and I di run fi my life. I no want dead left my newborn. Left my pikni fatherless.”

 

Britney Gordon

“Have you made any reports against the officer? Are you seeking legal action?”

 

Voice of: Belize City Shooting Victim

“Yes ma’am I di seek legal action right now. I di look fi go back da station go mek a report. Cuz I just lee while come from hospital.”

Survey Says Possibly 4 out of 10 for U.D.P. in Belize City in 2025

What’s the likelihood of the U.D.P. emerging victorious in the next general elections and how many seats can the embattled party clinch during the upcoming exercise?  A recent survey conducted by Viking Strategies sets out to determine the potential of the United Democratic Party based on a recent survey.  While the U.D.P. was soundly defeated at the polls in 2020, the results of the survey indicate that the party can expect a national vote share of forty-two to forty-four percent.  This was also determined using election data in Belize from 2008, 2012, 2015 and 2020.  Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with that story.

 

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

The United Democratic Party (U.D.P.) is currently navigating through one of the most tumultuous periods in its illustrious history. Internal strife and unprecedented discord have left the party more fractured than ever before. The rift between the Alliance for Democracy and the U.D.P. leadership has deepened, primarily due to conflicting interpretations of the party’s constitution. Amidst this latest wave of disputes, a new analysis has emerged, shedding light on the U.D.P.’s prospects as the 2025 general election approaches.  An analysis of all thirty-one constituencies was recently conducted by Viking Strategies, using the results of a survey carried out with Belizean voters.  Of the ten seats available in Belize City, only four are likely to go red, including Albert, which is described, based on probability models, as a toss-up. In that division, incumbent area representative Tracy Panton is being challenged by P.U.P. councilor Kaya Cattouse.  Since tossing her hat into the political arena, Cattouse has hit the ground running.

 

                    Kaya Cattouse

Kaya Cattouse, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Albert (File: September 19th, 2024)

“The feedback has been very good.  I mean, people want a change, they want a  young, dynamic leader who is coming in to work for them and coming in from the local government level, they have seen the work that I have been doing, not only in Albert constituency but across the city.  And now, to be zoning in only on that one constituency, I mean, it means a lot to them and it means a lot to me.”

 

Historically, Albert has been a more competitive constituency.  In the 2012, 2015 and 2020 general elections, the United Democratic Party has held on to the seat, but the P.U.P. has been making inroads.  In 2020, the U.D.P. won by a narrow margin.  Going into 2025, with a seemingly formidable opponent, Albert remains a tossup.

 

                          Tracy Panton

Tracy Panton, Area Representative, Albert (File: September 11th, 2024)

“I respect the fact that Ms. Cattouse has offered herself as a candidate, it’s good to see young women and women seek political leadership.  So I applaud her on that decision.  We don’t take any opponent lightly, we’ve never have taken an opponent lightly.  We’ve never made broad and sweeping statements against an opponent.  We know what our job is and our is to serve the people and when you serve the people, the people support you.  That has been my experience and we don’t intend to change our strategy because it has worked and it has worked very well for my campaign and we’ll continue to do so.”

 

With Panton ousted from the U.D.P., all eyes are on who will step up as the new standard bearer for the opposition. Despite her expulsion, Panton insists she remains a loyal member of the U.D.P. In Port Loyola, the United Democratic Party lost its grip to the P.U.P., who secured the seat with a commanding 57.7% of the vote in the 2020 general election. Recent surveys suggest that while the U.D.P. has a chance to gain ground, the odds still favor the incumbent.  Nonetheless, former Area Representative Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez is once again in the picture.

 

               Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez

Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez, U.D.P. Standard Bearer, Port Loyola (File: August 22nd, 2024)

“It’s from the request of the people of Port Loyola who asked me to hold the mantle, at least because they want a good area representative.  And so, for me, I am a creature of instruction and as a creature of instruction, you follow the people. I am the candidate, so I am touching back base with the people because one thing yoh could seh yoh opinion about Boots Martinez is another thing, but every man, woman, pickni, dehn dog, dehn cat, know who is Boots Martinez.”

 

Collet continues to be a bastion for the U.D.P., with Patrick Faber firmly entrenched as the area’s representative. However, recent probability analyses suggest that this stronghold could be tested if national polling trends increasingly favor the P.U.P. Adding to the political intrigue, Devin Daly has thrown his hat into the ring, declaring his candidacy for the People’s United Party. Isani Cayetano for News Five.

 

A FOIA Request for Info on Belmopan Land Purchase

The Belize Network of NGOs, in partnership with the Belize Council of Churches and other social partners, including the National Trade Union Congress, has written to the Minister of Health and Wellness requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act.  The request has to do with information being sought regarding the purchase of land from businessman Kenny Zheng, for the construction of the University Hospital in Belmopan.  Viewers would recall that the Government of Belize purchased fifteen acres of land for a little under seven million dollars in August, after deciding that the land being offered for the construction of the tertiary facility on U.B. land was not suitable.  The letter, written by Senator Kevin Herrera, requests information regarding the projected costs, potential impacts on local healthcare services, among other factors.  Earlier today, we spoke with Senator Glenfield Dennison.

 

                    Glenfield Dennison

Glenfield Dennison, Union Senator

“ The reference to the purchase of the hospital land, that position would have been taken by the social partners early on, but the delay would have been attributed to lack of information and so we thought it necessary to join forces to make the request because, other than that there is strength in numbers.  We represent the social partners in the senate and the oversight mechanisms that are existing in the senate may or may not be triggered depending on the management of the issue from the government side.  And so, we, as social partners, and I want to be very clear, we are partnering for the development of this country.  We think that this is an issue that needs ventilation, that needs clarification from not just a commonsense approach but from the questions being raised by taxpayers.”

 

Isani Cayetano
“Invoking the Freedom of Information Act in an attempt to get government to be as transparent with the information as possible has, over time, proven extremely frustrating for anyone who attempts to go in that direction.”

 

Glenfield Dennison

“That is so, and the process that would next obtain, especially if we tale the judicial review route requires that you exhaust the other options that are available to you. So whether it is in fact a lesson in futility, it would, in my mind, be a legal route if we are to make a successful claim before the court because the request that will first come, I imagine, would be a request for the disclosure from the government through the court.  But it would be incumbent upon us to make the request so that we can, by our evidence, show the court that we have tried that and that it failed.”

NTUCB Responds to PM Briceño on Stake Bank

The National Trade Union Congress of Belize has received a response from the Office of the Prime Minister regarding the compulsory acquisition of the Stake Bank Island Extension.  Prime Minister John Briceño, in his written response, told the umbrella organization that the decision to compulsorily acquire the properties in question was carefully considered.  But the N.T.U.C.B. is not entirely convinced.  Here’s Union Senator Glenfield Dennison with the N.T.U.C.B.’s position on the matter.

 

                    Glenfield Dennison

Glenfield Dennison, Union Senator

“I would say it’s rooted really in the constitutional protection of arbitrary deprivation of property.  Inherent in that would be that you can reasonably take away someone’s property.  The methodology that the government chose to use is what we are trying to do our part as social partners to highlight to the government.  This is not a criticism of the government as such.  This is us looking through our lens and saying, hey there are two pieces of legislation on the law books, over seventy-five years old.  The acquisition of property exists, to me, at the intersection between the private interest of the Feinsteins, the commercial interests of the receiver and the government in its responsibility to the public.  As we’re trying to unpack that, we can see that there definitely will be a lawsuit and I won’t comment about the lawsuit itself, but insofar as the two pieces of legislation that exist for acquiring land, it’s important that they both achieve the same thing, the compulsory acquisition of private lands, but they vest that ownership in two different places.  So under the promoters legislation, it would vest the compulsorily acquired land in the private entity, but in the public purposes acquisitions act, it vests the interest in the government.”

The PCC’s Mandate is Quickly Coming to an End

The People’s Constitution Commission met here in Belize City today as it begins to finalize its work.  Today’s session was closed to the media, but we were able to get a brief interview from Chairman Anthony Chanona for an update.  Here’s what he shared with us.

 

Anthony Chanona, Chair, People’s Constitution Commission

“We have been meeting ever since we finished the public outreach which was back in May 2024, and the process is to review what the people have said and formulating it.  So as soon as that was completed and we are at that stage, we will come to the media and we are saying this would probably be around the eighth of October and present what we have done.  So it’s an important engagement but I cannot go into any details at this time.”

 

Isani Cayetano

“I do know that there was somewhat of an extension given for the work of the PCC to accomplish its mandate.  Where are we with that in terms of being able to deliver on these respective responsibilities?”

 

Anthony Chanona

“Well the public outreach today surprised all of us and it enjoyed tremendous success.  People in Belize actually showed up at these sessions, participated in the call for papers, responded to the text blast and so we were unable to collate all of that information within the eighteen months.  So the law provided for us to apply for a six-month extension and we are now to be finished on the fourteenth of November for a final report.  But we will be producing an interim report with the first draft with all stakeholders so that there is some transparency and validation to the process.”

 

Exit mobile version