G.O.B. will have to pay ACES for destruction of its property during riots in PG
At around three this afternoon, the Court of Appeal struck out an application by attorneys for the government of Belize. In 2010, young Benjamin and Onelia Rash went missing in Toledo, and residents of their home village San Marcos were convinced that the disappearance of the children had something to do with the crocodile research sanctuary in Toledo, called ACES. They rioted and burned it all to the ground on September fifth, 2010. ACES owners Vince and Cherie rose sued government for damages, claiming that Police did nothing to prevent the riot and subsequent destruction. The Supreme Court found in favour of the Roses in 2012, ruling that government was liable for the damages. Government appealed, and a judgment was handed down this morning after submissions by attorneys for both sides. Attorneys for Vince and Cherie Rose Andrea McSweaney-McKoy and Agnes Segura-Gillett emerged at three this afternoon with a victory to report.
Andrea McSweaney-McKoy
Andrea McSweaney-McKoy, Attorney for ACES
“The main submissions of government were that what happened on that date, the fifth September 2010, was a fire at the Roses crocodile sanctuary in Punta Gorda and what government had submitted was that it could not be a riot because either there were less than five persons who actually caused the damage or the persons who caused the damage were not with the Mayan villagers at the time. We recognize that these Mayan villagers were searching for two missing children. We are not sure those missing children were ever found. But we do believe that they acted in this way because of a fortune teller who gave them the information that the children were on that property, so they completely burned down the Roses’ property. The court this evening passed its judgment. It did not agree with the Counsel for the appellants and ordered that the judgment of Legall J in the court below be upheld so the roses are successful this evening.”
Oneila Rash
Reporter
“So ma’am, could you tell us what’s the next step? We’re made to understand that the issue of quantum hasn’t been raised as yet.”
Andrea McSweaney-McKoy
“Yes. The trial before Justice Legall had proceeded on liability alone. So it is on that decision that government’s attorney had appeals. We now have to go back to the Supreme Court and have quantum of damages assessed.”
Reporter
Banjamin Rash
“Do you believe based on the failure of this appeal that the government will attempt to go to the CCJ as a final arbiter?”
Andrea McSweaney-McKoy
“We are not certain. We are not certain. I would not be able to comment. Based on the two main points of argument that they had I would not expect so. But we would have to see.”
The claim on government is for damages amounting to half a million US. Under the law government is liable for any damages caused during a riotous assembly.
Now the rash family should sue aces for the death of their two children who got eaten by alligators that they kept at their place without adequate protection for the general public sue aces rash family they killed your two children by their negligence.
Rod, you are so ignorant at times. It’s good that you read and blog but be more responsible and objective. It’s sad what happened to these kids but look at the area where they live. Our borders ar porous. Have you ever heard about human trafficking? If you think they don’t grab them that young you’re sadly mistaken.
Rod you are so full of BS. How do you come up with such crap? Ignorance? And the children are still missing, so sad. But hell, burn the gringo’s place down, they must have had something to do with it! And the police just stood by, typical.
Mr. Govern-you-do-not. whose paying for this?…my taxes?… B**$**es. but i shouldn’t be surprised since i paid for the gangs that you keep paying, the illegal drugs that you keep transporting and for the riches and luxury life of your family. even if its a dollar, it gets split three ways, 0.50 cents for the government, 0.25 cents for the drugs and the other 0.25 cents for the gangs. and how i benefit?….
I read that the children are reportedly in Guatemala with the father. Has anyone ever pursued that angle?
I would say to pay them if you find proof of where the children are.