2025-01-23 - Channel 5 Belize

Accused Murderers Appear in Court

No plea was taken from 29-year-old car dealer Jovannie Jones and 23-year-old Jerwin Segura this morning when they were arraigned in Belize City. The duo was charged with the double murder of Felix Martinez and Adelita Gillett, which took place outside Crooked Tree Village on Monday night.

Police Commissioner Chester Williams says there is no indication that robbery was the motive.

Police believe the murder is linked to a failed car deal. The couple reportedly met someone to collect money when Gillett, counting it in the back seat, was ambushed.

The victims were found dead inside their Chevy Equinox SUV.

The accused are scheduled to return to court on March twentieth.

84-Year-Old Man Killed After Collision with Bus

An 84-year-old man lost his life this morning after being struck by a bus on the Thomas Vincent Highway in southern Belize. Cecilio Caal, a resident of San Roman Village, was reportedly riding his bicycle when he was hit by a 2007 Toyota Costa Bus that was driven by 65-year-old Domingo Torres.

Initial police investigations reveal that Caal was flung off the bike some thirty feet away from the site. The accident occurred between miles 27 and 28 of the highway. Reports indicate that Caal was travelling in the opposite direction but veered into the bus’s lane.

Police found his bike crushed under the rear of the bus, while the vehicle itself sustained damage.

Declining Pass Rates in Caribbean Students Raise Alarms

A troubling trend emerged last year when nearly 200,000 students across the Caribbean sat for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate exams, with only 4.9% passing five or more subjects, including crucial subjects like Mathematics and English. According to Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Director for the Caribbean, the low pass rate in Mathematics—just 36%—is raising alarms among parents and educators.

“The cumulative effects of years of poor educational outcomes are deeply concerning, especially given the well-established links between education and negative societal impacts such as crime,” said Paula-Anne Moore, spokesperson for the Group of Concerned Parents in Barbados.

Burunciuc points to a deeper issue: a systemic crisis in foundational learning. Many students leave primary school without mastering essential skills like literacy and numeracy, which severely hampers their ability to succeed in secondary school and beyond. This gap not only affects individual students but also underminwrutees economic growth by creating a less skilled workforce.

Burunciuc added that inequality in access to quality education further exacerbates the problem. In places like Guyana, overcrowded schools and a lack of resources limit students’ learning experiences, while in Belize, technical training programs makes a prime example that reflects this problem as well. Reuel Black, manager of the ITVET in the Belize District, said that Belizean students often lack the necessary foundation in mathematics and physics to grasp complex subjects like solar energy systems.

Black also pointed out the challenge of keeping students focused: “Some students stay on their telephones, and you have to actually tell them to pay attention.”

According to Burunciuc, the World Bank is working closely with Caribbean nations to address these challenges. Through initiatives like the Jamaica Education Project and the expansion of technical training in Guyana, the Bank is helping to improve teaching, upgrade facilities, and expand access to quality education across the region.

Guatemalan Potato Varieties Could Transform Belize

A team from the Ministry of Agriculture is exploring new potato varieties in Guatemala that could transform the country’s farming industry. Led by Minister José Abelardo Mai, the delegation is currently visiting potato farms in Poptún, Guatemala, to explore new potato varieties for processing markets. The ministry said it “focuses on adding value to other perishable crops, aiming to create long-term solutions for farmers.”

As part of their two-day visit, the delegation’s focus is on addressing the challenges faced by Belize’s potato and carrot farmers, particularly issues of market access and oversupply. One exciting opportunity lies in Guatemala’s white potatoes, which are processed by major companies like Frito-Lay into popular products such as potato chips. With Belize’s similar climate and altitude, these varieties could thrive locally and offer a new revenue stream for farmers.

The ministry’s push to add value to perishable crops could turn challenges into profitable opportunities, helping farmers reduce losses and improve their financial future. The delegation will return on January 24 after meeting with experts and seeing the successful farming methods up close.

Belize Advances Forensic Science

Belize is stepping up its crime-fighting efforts with a game-changing advancement in forensic technology. The National Forensic Science Service (NFSS). The Belize National Forensic Science Service (NFSS) has announced the installation of a cutting-edge Applied Biosystems RapidHIT ID instrument in its new Rapid DNA Section.

“This cutting-edge technology will allow for in-country rapid DNA testing for crime scene samples, human remains, and disaster victim identification for urgently needed investigative or identification needs” in as little as 90 minutes, NFSS stated. “This investment of taxpayers’ dollars into the expansion of the NFSS’s scope represents a solid commitment by the Government of Belize in advancing the nation’s forensic investigative capacity.”

According to the NFSS, streamlining identification processes, the technology frees up resources for more complex cases like sexual assault evidence or in-depth crime scene investigations and will even ease case backlogs and free up resources for more complex investigations.

It is set to be fully operational in the next three months.

Charged with Heinous Double Murder

Two men have been charged with the double murder of 37-year-old Felix Martinez and 40-year-old Adelita Gillett. They are 29-year-old Jovannie Rashad Jones and 23-year-old Jerwin Ormand Segura.

A couple was found shot to death in their vehicle near Mile 31 on the Philip Goldson Highway. Police suspect the murder is tied to a car deal gone wrong, with the couple reportedly meeting someone to collect money owed to them for a failed vehicle purchase. During the exchange, Gillett was allegedly counting the money in the back seat when they were ambushed.

A blood trail in the vehicle suggests the money was stolen. Police found bloodstains on the back seat and on a purse believed to belong to Gillett.

The couple, who lived in Burrell Boom with their 10-year-old son, had demanded repayment after paying for a vehicle in October 2024 and not receiving it. Gillett, a long-time employee of Brodies’ Pharmacy, was serving as pharmaceutical manager at the time of her death.