Beleaguered Politician Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez Is Arraigned on Six Charges

This afternoon, Doctor Marco Tulio Mendez handed himself over to Orange Walk Police flanked by two of his attorneys, Dickie Bradley and Andrew Bennett.  His surrender and the wrangle which succeeded his arraignment were captured on camera.  We’ll show you what transpired outside the police station and the family’s attempt to whisk him away from the media in tonight’s lead story.  But, for days there was anticipation that the Orange Walk East Representative would have been charged in connection with allegations made by two minors but those charges were not known. Well, today there were family, friends and supporters waiting as he arrived at the police station to be arraigned in the magistrate court. A total of six charges, including aggravated assault of an indecent nature and common assault of two minors, were placed on Mendez for offenses that go back to 2005. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports. 

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

The indictment of fifty-year-old Marco Tulio Mendez on six charges related to allegations of inappropriate conduct took place this afternoon before Magistrate Merlene Moody in Orange Walk Town.  Doctor Mendez, a pediatrician by profession, appeared at the police station sometime after one o’clock in the company of senior counsels Richard ‘Dickie’ Bradley and Andrew Bennett.  Mendez, an elected area representative for Orange Walk East under the People’s United Party, was led to the second floor where he was arraigned.

Upon exiting the building, we attempted to get a comment from Dr. Mendez.  That, however, resulted in a brief fracas with law enforcement, as well as his family and friends.

{Back and forth between Reporter and Police}

Following that face-off, attorney Dickie Bradley, in an interview with the media, spoke on the charges brought against his client.

Richard “Dickie” Bradley

Richard “Dickie” Bradley, Attorney for Marco Tulio Mendez

“The court read six charges to the honorable Tulio Mendez—four counts in relation to one child and two counts in relation to the other child. These charges are listed as aggravated assault, which is the charge that the law uses, but they are in relation to inappropriate touching. Bail was offered in a sum of five thousand dollars which under the law is a signed bail. And he is required to return to court on the thirteenth day of April.”

Isani Cayetano

“These charges date back to when?”

Richard “Dickie” Bradley

“They go back as far as 2005.”

Reporter

“Now sir, explain to me what is the strategy that you guys are taking in terms of how are these established in court?”

That question would remain unanswered as our attention quickly shifted to the adjacent Supreme Court building where Orange Walk police and family and friends of Doctor Mendez attempted to spirit him away to a waiting vehicle.

{Marco Tulio Mendez being taken away…”

When that vehicle drove off with Doctor Mendez, we resumed our interview with attorney Andrew Bennett.  He told the media that the burden of proof rests with the crown.

Andrew Bennett, Attorney for Marco Tulio Mendez

“The law states that if there is anything done indecent toward a child, it will be treated as aggravated assault and so it has its separate provision under the criminal code. So yes that may be—we don’t know what the prosecution case is—but that may be some of the elements that they intend to bring.”

Reporter

“Sir, and your client—he didn’t speak to us—so what is his state of mind, how was his bearing in court?”

Andrew Bennett

Andrew Bennett

“Well our client will speak to the media. I believe he will make a statement so as it is, it is up to him and we will hear from him in the near future.”

Isani Cayetano

“In this matter, the burden of proof is on the other side. What can be brought forward in terms of any evidence or any substantive argument to prove that this has been the case?”

Andrew Bennett

“Well obviously, the crown has to show beyond a reasonable doubt that there was some inappropriate, indecent act towards the minor. So that is what the crown has. We don’t know what the crown has in terms of the report or so and we hope that when the disclosure phase comes through that we know exactly what it is that they intend to prove.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.