Prime suspect freed in child murder case
In March, the mutilated body of ten year old Jackie Fern Malic, was discovered on a feeder road by mile eight on the Western Highway. Following the gruesome discovery, the police arrested thirty-eight year old Michael Williams, a mechanic of Faber’s Road and charged him with the murder of the primary school student. Today on a directive from Adolph Lucas, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Williams was released and the charge of murder was dismissed. According to Kirk Anderson, Williams’ attorney, his client is a free man because the police did not have any sufficient evidence that link him to Malic’s murder. Anderson believes that the police rush to judgement was the result of intense public pressure in the case.
Kirk Anderson, Attorney for Michael Williams
“Well apparently and I say apparently because this is after I have had discussions with the Director of Public Prosecutions regarding the matter. Apparently the case was dismissed Jackie because of the fact there did not exist sufficient evidence to allow for even the holding of a preliminary inquiry with respect to the charge of murder against my client. It did not exist, any sufficient credible evidence which could be put before a court to even have that court consider whether or not there existed or did not exist a sufficient basis for bringing Mr. Williams before the Supreme Court on a trial charge with murder.
I think there is some element of pressure there from the public and from even the public through the media. And I think they wanted to assuage the public and let the public feel that they know what they are doing; they are on top of things. So the general panic did not get out of control. I think that is a part of it but as to exactly why they charged my client I am really not in a position to say. That is a question that would have to be directed to them. Clearly they cannot have existed sufficient evidence.
I mean anybody who knows the Director of Public Prosecutions would know that if there had existed some sufficient credible evidence, the case would have been brought to trial; it would have been a matter for the jury and maybe a case may have been lost but the D.P.P. would not have lightly withdrawn a case of this nature.
I am not in a position to say what they had as such because they have never disclose to me any of the statements of any of the witnesses or so called witnesses which they have told the public that they have. But I do know that there have been witnesses who have come forward on Mr. Williams’ behalf and gave statements to the police indicating that he was not where the police have told the public where he was at the material times.
I did my own independent investigation as to who was telling the truth and as to what the police did have and what they didn’t have and it was my understanding all along that the police in fact had far more suspected a person in Orange Walk whose name I will not call because it is a matter for the courts if necessary, but that the police far more suspected someone in Orange Walk who works in Belize City and does his little business in Belize City, with having done some of these crimes, than suspecting my client.”
Q: “Mr. Anderson as a result of Williams’ arrest a number of allegations were made saying that you had advised his common-law-wife to hide incriminating evidence. Would you care to respond?”
Kirk Anderson
“Well I am glad that you asked that question. I absolutely want to respond now. I have somewhat held back in response to that false allegation because I wanted to wait and see what would happen to this case. What has actually happened is what I thought all along would happen, is that the case would be dismissed without any evidence being offered.
Let me, in specific response to your question say I have never, would never, will never advised anyone to destroy evidence in a criminal case. I have never done that. I have advised clients from time to time to plead guilty. That is on record. The courts can attest to that. I would never do that and I certainly never did that on this case.
And I can assure you that Mr. Eli Salazar and your commissioner Mr. Brooks will be facing a lawsuit probably as early as next week for defamation of my character and I hope they are prepared to pay some significant sums of money in compensation. Because I can assure you that Miss Staine, Julie Staine whom they say told them all of these things in fact did no such thing and I am sure she will testify on my behalf. I am confident that she will do that.”
At a press conference called to announce the arrest of Williams Police Commissioner Ornel Brooks told the media that the case against Williams was a strong one.
