Wesley Emmanuel Freed of Murder

Wesley Emmanuel

Thirty-eight year old Wesley Emmanuel was today freed of murder charges in the death of thirty-six year old Emigdio Gomez which occurred in July of 2008. In a voir dire, Justice Troadio Gonzalez did not allow into evidence a caution statement taken from Gomez by police, on the basis that it was given under duress because he had not been fed for two days and that impaired his judgment. Crown Counsel Javier Chan closed the prosecution’s case without offering further evidence and the jury was duly directed by Justice Gonzalez. Emmanuel was jointly charged with Jessie James Ochoa for the death of Gomez and attempted murder of Cornelius Schmitt on the Coastal Road. Schmitt and Gomez were transporting a bulldozer when their truck was pulled over by three men posing as police officers. The duo was escorted to a car that was parked nearby and was then driven to an area where Schmitt was shot three times but survived his injuries. Gomez was found hanging from a tree strangled with his belt. Ochoa was acquitted in December of 2010 during the first trial, but a nolle prosequi was entered against Emmanuel, who was quickly re-arrested. At his second trial in November of 2011 a jury was unable to reach a verdict and a re-trial was ordered.