Bail applications reviewed in Supreme Court
And upstairs, the current session of the Supreme Court closed today with a review of bail applications for a number of accused persons. Two high profile requests for bail were dealt with. Ladyville resident, Mark Sewell, who is presently awaiting extradition to the United States, and five persons accused in the Shoman family’s case. The Sewell request was turned down after Senior Crown Council in the DPP’s office, Cecil Ramirez, objected since the case is presently before the Magistrate Court and a decision is expected soon. The other case involves five of six men, four Guatemalans and two Belizeans, who were charged with conspiracy to commit the murder and attempted robbery of the Shoman family. Bail was also denied. On September seventh of this year, their case was committed to the Supreme Court for trial and since then, Jose Aldana and Aldo “Pancho” Urbina of the Orange Walk District were granted bail in September, but only Aldana was able to pay. Urbina could not meet the ten thousand dollar bail. At his bail review, Aldana asked Justice Michelle Arana, to reduce the sum of bail but was turned down. The others are Guatemalan minors and were considered flight risks. But one person who may get bail is Yanira Rox Fernandez who in 2002, stabbed and kill a Jessica Saldano at a club in San Ignacio and was found guilty of manslaughter in 2008. Justice Michelle Arana questioned her status and found out that earlier this year, Fernandez won her appeal for the manslaughter conviction. A decision as to whether or not Fernandez will be granted bail will be decided on October six. The other person that may get bail is sixteen year old Ermon Tillett, a minor who is before the Belize City Magistrate Court for a series of robbery. Tillett has been remanded to prison since December 2008 and is due back before the court on October twenty-seventh. A decision regarding bail will also be determined on October sixth. Of the twenty cases heard today, six were denied, thirteen were granted bail and two are undecided.
