Ralph Fonseca won’t face charges in Supreme Court…

In the Belmopan Court today, a preliminary inquiry in a charge of Theft against former Government Minister Ralph Fonseca came to an end. Fonseca was charged in connection with ten million U.S. dollars provided last year to the government of Belize by the government of Venezuela. In front of a packed courtroom, Belmopan Magistrate Earl Jones told him that he was free to leave. It took Magistrate Jones less than fifteen minutes after court convened to pass his judgment that the evidence presented by the Crown did not bear sufficient weight in order for Fonseca to stand trial in the Supreme Court. In delivering his decision in the Preliminary Inquiry, Magistrate Jones said that on the matter of Theft there are four essential elements that the prosecution must clearly lay out. After he passed his ruling, the Magistrate said quote … “The court is not obliged to give a reason for its decision” … end quote, and then told Ralph Fonseca that he was discharged. The seats, packed with Fonseca supporters, applauded at the ruling and a jubilant Fonseca, offered a few words to reporters waiting outside.

Ralph Fonseca, Will Not Stand Trial in Supreme Court
“It has to feel good. First of all, I want to thank all the people that called and text and e-mailed and expressed their support for me and their confidence in me and those that didn’t, I’m busy. I’ll continue to pray for my enemies from within and without. I think the people of Belize knew what this case was all about and I’m glad that justice has been served. I hope that our previous Prime Minister also gets clear as quickly as is possible. I’m also happy that the people that are involved with the case are now relieved of this because I can imagine the pressure that they were under. And I thank the media in general for being fairly balanced as it related to this.”