2024-12-15 - Channel 5 Belize

Is it Safe for Yolanda Saldivar to be Released in 2025?

While many are looking forward to 2025, others are dreading the year already. Nearly 30 years after Tejano music legend Selena Quintanilla-Perez was tragically murdered, the woman convicted of killing her, Yolanda Saldivar, is eligible for parole.

Saldivar was convicted of murdering Selena in 1995, but the Texas Department of Criminal Justice confirmed that her 30-year sentence ends on March 30, 2025.

Carlos Valdez, the former Nueces County District Attorney who led Saldivar’s prosecution, said in a recent interview, “When I was trying this case 30 years ago, I looked around and saw thousands of people all interested in this case, and to myself, I thought, ‘All this is gonna be gone in five years… People are going to forget about Selena, and I was so wrong.”

Under Texas law, inmates sentenced to life in prison for first-degree felonies must serve 30 years before being eligible for parole. And although Valdez successfully secured a life sentence for Saldivar, the parole process is now underway.

However, Valdez believes that releasing Saldivar would be a mistake. “Thirty years later, there is so much interest in the case, and I believe—I really believe—that the safest place for Yolanda would probably be where she is,” he said.

Even after three decades, this case remains one of the most high-profile in history. With loyal fans worldwide, it begs the question: Is it safe for Saldivar to be released?

Could the Triple Murder Have Been Prevented?

A triple murder in Monkey River Village, Toledo District, has left many wondering what could have led Curtis Molina, 45, to shoot his relatives, including his toddler-aged nephew.

Molina is accused of fatally shooting his cousin Elvis Garbutt Sr., 39; his wife Emerita Garbutt, 30; and their toddler son Ellis Garbutt. Molina’s attack also left 11-year-old Eliana Garbutt injured.
Authorities discovered the bodies of the victims in a vehicle on a feeder road, all with gunshot wounds. A short distance away, Elvis Garbutt Sr. was found fatally shot.

Elvis’s mother, Enid Garbutt, told News 5 that 8-year-old Elvis Jr. managed to run away. “The little boy run. Something that was coming up picked up the little boy. Because they told us that they found the mother and the baby, but don’t find the other son. We were left to wonder where he was,” she said.

Meanwhile, with gunshot wounds to her face and hand, young Eliana managed to seek help. “He shoot my son, then shoot his wife, and then the dog died by machete, and his little daughter got shot in the face and lost two of her fingers,” Enid told News 5.

Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, said this morning that Eliana was transported to Southern Regional Hospital and is being treated.
While Molina is now in custody, the attack has left Eliana and her brother Elvis Jr. without their parents. Molina was captured while trying to flee the village.

Police are still investigating the motive behind the attack, but Enid and the rest of the family suspect that Molina was after money. “My son had a little money on him to go buy his skiff tomorrow, and he [Curtis] knew about it,” she stated. Elvis had reportedly planned to make a $3,000 payment towards a small boat.

While this has been shocking news for the country, some claim that Curtis has been getting away with questionable behaviour. In a Facebook post, one user who seemed familiar with the accused said, “He gets away with too much, and everybody just accepts him back into the community and makes him feel entitled.”

Belizean Teen Basketballer Seeks Community Support to Compete in Ohio

A Belizean rising basketball star is facing the biggest opportunity of his young career, but he needs the help of his community to make it a reality. In a Facebook post, 17-year-old Tevaughn Dawson announced that he has been selected to compete in the 2025 AAU Basketball Tournament, the Dru Joyce Classic, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Dawson stated, “This is an NCAA-certified tournament where I, along with my teammates, will have the chance to showcase our talent in front of college scouts, potentially earning a scholarship to play college basketball in the USA or Canada.”

To make this opportunity a reality, Dawson reached out to his friends, family, and supporters for financial assistance. He said, “The total cost for this trip is $3,501.00 BZE, which covers the round-trip flight, hotel accommodations (with breakfast), travel insurance, tickets to an NBA game, and sightseeing in Cleveland.”

Dawson added that his family has already paid the $750 deposit, but he is now turning to his community for help. He is seeking donations to cover the remaining $2,751 needed by March 2025. “If you would like to contribute and support me in making this dream a reality, please feel free to make a donation to the following bank account,” he added.

The Atlantic Bank account number is 2120057439 under the name Tevaughn Albert Dawson.

Dawson added, “I am truly grateful for your help in making this once-in-a-lifetime experience possible.”

Burglars Caught on Camera at Smokeez

This morning, Ramon Salgado, owner of Smokeez Seaside Restaurant & Bar, took to Facebook to report a break-in that he said occurred around 4:30 a.m. “These two low life broke into my business and stole my Lenovo laptop, a Samsung cellphone, 3 Amazon Fire tablets, a mini cash pan with like $10 in coins, and some other smaller items,” Salgado wrote.

According to Salgado, the thieves fled after the alarm went off, leaving behind their bike.

Salgado shared photos showing two men, one in a black hoodie and the other in a light-coloured hoodie. Despite their heads being covered, their faces are visible in parts of the images.

Salgado urged anyone with information to contact him at 610-5303 or 615-7686 and has offered a cash reward for information leading to an arrest.

The establishment is located on Seashore Drive in Belize City.

The Potential Reason Why He Murdered 3 People

The country remains in shock following a horrific triple murder in Monkey River Village in the Toledo District.

Curtis Molina, now in custody, is accused of killing three family members and leaving a young child injured.

The victims include Elvis Garbutt Sr., Emerita Garbutt, their toddler-aged son, Elvis Jr., and their daughter, who was shot but survived.

In an interview with Elvis’s mother, Enid Garbutt, she described the moments before the shooting. “Yesterday evening I met one of my cousins, Michelle Cuervas, and I was coming from home, and she said to me, ‘Enid, try to get Elvis gyal because Curtis came on the road with a gun and so much cartridge.’ So I went home, and I got on my phone, and I tried calling Elvis, and I couldn’t get them,” she said.

When she arrived at the scene with her daughter, Garbutt found two of the children covered in blood.

“She told my daughter, ‘Aunty, please help me. Curtis shot my mom, my brother, and my dad,” Enid said.

While police continue to investigate the motive for the deadly shooting, the relatives of the victims have their theories.

“From the time they told me that Curtis was on the road with a gun, I done got a feeling that it was my son he was after because my son had a little money on him to go buy his skiff tomorrow, and he knew about it,” Enid stated. Elvis was reportedly set to make a payment of $3,000 towards the skiff tomorrow.

The police are currently on the ground processing the scene.

Molina was captured not far from the village while approaching the coast in a dory. The victims were found late Saturday night in a vehicle on a feeder road. Inside, they discovered the bodies of a woman, her toddler, and a dog, all with gunshot wounds. A short distance away, they located the woman’s husband, also fatally shot.

ComPol Williams confirmed that a surviving female child, who had sustained gunshot injuries, was found at the scene. She was quickly transported to Southern Regional Hospital and is reportedly recovering.

“Police have learnt that the victims were travelling in their vehicle on their way home when they were ambushed by Curtis Molina, who opened fire on them with a shotgun,” stated Commissioner Williams.

Reckless Driver Captured on Video Days After Belize’s Deadliest Crash

A video posted on Friday night by the Facebook page “Papa Churros” shows a reckless driver swerving across lanes on the George Price Highway, just six days after Belize’s deadliest road crash. The driver, appearing to be under the influence, nearly collided with multiple vehicles. “Just a mere 6 days after the terrible accident… watch this drunk driver. He almost ran into 4 cars,” said Papa Churros, adding, “Our community has lost so much already!”

The crash referenced occurred on December 7, claiming 10 lives, including a 4-year-old girl. A Ford Expedition collided with a Toyota Corolla, causing a deadly fire. A motorcyclist also died in the crash.

On Friday, December 13, Prime Minister John Briceño called for urgent reforms to road safety laws during a meeting at the House of Representatives: “People need to understand that if you drive under the influence and get in an accident, we are going to throw the whole book at you,” he said. Briceño also announced plans to enhance surveillance, introduce stricter motorcyclist licensing, and implement new enforcement tools, including speed guns and breathalysers.

“We are the drivers, and we all have a role to play in making our roads safer,” Briceño said.

Police Arrest Suspect in Monkey River Triple Murder

Police have apprehended Curtis Molina. Molina is accused of ambushing and shooting a family. The shooting incident left three people dead and one female child injured in Monkey River Village, Toledo District.

In a Facebook update, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams confirmed the arrest, stating, “We will continue to work towards gathering all the evidence in order to secure a successful prosecution against him.”

The incident occurred late Saturday night when police discovered a vehicle on a feeder road with the bodies of a woman, her toddler, and a dog, all shot. The woman’s husband was found nearby, also fatally shot. A surviving child was found with gunshot wounds and is recovering in the Southern Regional Hospital.

According to Williams, the victims were ambushed by Molina, who is reportedly a relative of the deceased man.

Man Wanted for the Killing of Three in Monkey River Village Shooting

Police are searching for Curtis Molina, also known as “Garbutt.” Molina is wanted in connection with a fatal ambush in Monkey River Village, Toledo District, that left three dead and one injured.

According to Police Commissioner Chester Williams, officers responding to a shooting late Saturday night discovered a vehicle on a feeder road. Inside, they found the lifeless bodies of a woman, her toddler, and a dog. All had gunshot wounds. A short distance away, they discovered the body of the woman’s husband, also fatally shot.

ComPol stated that a surviving female child was found with gunshot injuries. The child was rushed to Southern Regional Hospital and is reportedly recovering.

“Police have learnt that all victims were travelling in their vehicle heading home when they were ambushed by one Curtis Molina, who shot at them with a shotgun,” stated ComPol Williams.

According to police, Molina is reportedly a relative of the deceased man.

The public is urged to provide any assistance in locating Molina.

Molina is described as of Creole descent with a dark complexion and is a resident of Monkey River Village. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers at 922, use the P3 app, or report to the nearest police station.

This is a developing story.