Oscar Selgado Tells the Media Sorry, Asks for Forgiveness
Today, the trial against attorney Oscar Selgado continued before Justice Nigel Pilgrim. As we reported, Selgado is standing trial for abetment to commit murder. When the matter was adjourned seven days ago, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams was still on the witness stand. The court was preparing to hear several recorded phone calls of conversations between ComPol Williams, the Director of Public Prosecution Cheryl Lnn Vidal, and Giovanni Ramirez that date back to June and August 2023. Ramirez is the crown’s key witness. Back in 2019, he reportedly told police that he was hired by Selgado to kill a Belize City woman. Initially, Ramirez reportedly agreed to testify before the court. But, after some time had passed, Ramirez changed his mind. ComPol Williams, at first, had a conversation over the phone with Ramirez alone which was partially recorded. ComPol Williams also recorded two subsequent phone calls, this time the DPP was also on the calls. We will tell you more about what those cell phone recordings revealed. But first, at today’s adjournment Oscar Selgado approached the media with remorse, asking for forgiveness for the manner in which he addressed reporters the last time we spoke.
Oscar Selgado
Oscar Selgado, Accused of Abetment to Commit Murder
“I must apologize for being hostile. I think I used the wrong words when addressing the media last week. Please forgive me for it. I am a friend of the media and I will cooperate with the media when the case is finished?”
Paul Lopez
“Where was your mind at the time when you made that comment?”
Oscar Selgado
“I was apprehensive because I am use to being on one side not the other side in court. I am use to being the defense council not the defendant. And as I addressed the court a while ago, Friday will be my birthday. I will be fifty-four on Friday and I have never been a defendant in court all my life. So, I was a bit apprehensive and I think I lost my cool. But my apologies to not only the media but the Belizean public who probably got the wrong impression that I was rough. But as soon as the trial is finished I will have a word with the media and express what I think.”
Paul Lopez
“How has this affected your public image? You resigned from the Labor Advisory Board.”
Oscar Selgado
“I was the chairman of the Labor Advisory Board and I thought it was in the best interest of the board to have a chairman that is not embroiled in some sort of scandal. This is a scandal. But my public image, my clients know who I am. My clients know my worth as an attorney and none of them are deterred by me being charged for an unfounded allegation. Most of them have called me to express support for me.”
