Police officer convicted in death of Caye Caulker man

A police officer has been convicted in the death of a Caye Caulker man in the Belize Supreme Court. This afternoon, after two and a half hours of deliberation, a jury of his peers found twenty-nine year old Sheldon Arzu guilty of manslaughter in the death of Ruben “Pony” Alarcon. Arzu was originally charged with murder, but was convicted of the lesser charge. Justice Troadio Gonzalez will sentence the defendant next Thursday. Arzu was on duty on the night of June seventh 2003, when Alarcon walked into the Caye Caulker police station. The two got into an argument and Arzu says he shot Alarcon in self-defence after the man put his hand in his pocket and approached him in a threatening manner. But prosecutor Kamar Henry argued that self-defence was not applicable as the victim had been shot in the back. The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has released a statement on the verdict, maintaining, “it’s a victory for the office and the Belizean justice system as a whole. However, it is regrettable when those who are sworn to uphold the law most grossly abuse it. The jury recognizes that, therefore the only proper verdict according to the evidence and the law was rendered.” Arzu was defended by attorney Linsbert Willis.