A Trial within a Trial for the 2020 Murder of Shakeem Dennison

Rodman Welch

Belize City resident thirty-seven-year-old, Rodman Welch is on trial for the 2020 murder of Shakeem Dennison. Exactly, three years ago today, Dennison was shot and killed at the Yarborough Bridge in Belize City and Welch, a father of four, was soon after arrested and charged by police for the crime.  Today, the case ended in a voir dire before Justice Nigel Pilgrim, after Crown Counsel Riis Cattouse and defense attorney Orson Elrington presented their case.  Justice Pilgrim has ordered written submissions for October sixteenth, 2023 and oral submissions will be made virtually the following day on October seventeenth, 2023.  Justice Pilgrim will reserve his decision on the voir dire for October thirtieth, 2023. The trial within a trial began in early October and is to determine the admissibility of an alleged caution statement police claim Welch gave in the murder which is said to have incriminated him in the murder of Dennison. It is an allegation that defense attorney Elrington has rejected. During the voir dire, Welch took the stand and gave a sworn testimony.