David Sutherland is Charged for Nicholi Rhys’ Murder

Thirty-one-year-old David Sutherland has been charged for the murder of Nicholi Rhys that occurred on Neal Pen Road last week.  Ironically, four days ago, Sutherland pleaded guilty to the lesser offenses of firearms, ammunition and drug possession.  Already serving a three-year sentence for those offenses, this afternoon, he was escorted from the Belize Central Prison to the Magistrate’s Court where he was arraigned for the deadly shooting that claimed the life of Rhys.  He appeared unrepresented before the Chief Magistrate.  No plea was taken from him due to the nature of the offense.  He was denied bail and further remanded to the Belize Central Prison until October twenty-seventh, 2023.  It is alleged that Sutherland pursued Rhys and Jervis Samuels while they were on Neal Pen Road on the afternoon of July twentieth.  Rhys was executed in cold blood, while Samuels was injured to the foot.  Prior to his demise, Rhys, who was a known affiliate of the George Street Gang, had also racked up a lengthy criminal record.