Bert Vasquez gets an umbrella to the head on his way to court
The air was emotionally charged outside the San Ignacio Magistrate court this morning. Bert Vasquez, who is charged with the June murder of Jasmine Lowe as well as thirteen charges of aggravated assault of eleven young girls, was transferred from the Belize Central prison under heavy police escort. As he made his way, Vasquez was assaulted by Christopher Lowe, Jasmine’s father. He was whisked inside the court and Christopher was detained by the police. Freelance reporter Duane Moody captured the emotions of the crowd and the grieving father.
Duane Moody, Reporting
As early as eight this morning, residents of San Ignacio and Santa Elena gathered at Columbus Park in front of the San Ignacio Police Station. They came out to witness the arraignment of twenty-eight year old Bert Vasquez for additional charges of common assault against female minors in the West.
Alberto Palma
Alberto Palma, President, Bishop Martin Neighborhood Watch Committee
“We have said it in the past; we will keep going, we won’t let go. We want to see things through to the end. This guy was brought back today for the other charges and we will be here for all the other charges that he is brought back for because all the girls are for Cayo and Belize. And we want to see justice in Belize. We want to see the justice system work this time.”
Chester William
Sr. Supt. Chester Williams, O.C., San Ignacio Formation
“Mister Vasquez came to court today and he was arraigned on the charges of common assault for which he was arraigned for last month. What happened today is that we had granted him disclosure in relation to some of the matters and we have further adjourned the matter until the eighth of August. On the eighth of August, we expect to commence the prosecution of the summary matters. That is exactly what took place in the court.”
Duane Moody
“About a month ago, you said that there were additional charges of common assault that may be levied against him. Were those levied?”
Sr. Supt. Chester Williams
“They were not levied. We are still contemplating those charges but they were not levied today. One of the reasons was because of what happened today.”
But prior to Vasquez being arraigned, he was assaulted. Here’s what happened.
At eleven o’clock, Vasquez was shuttled from Central Prison along with two other remanded persons and taken into the police station.
Moments later he was escorted under police guard to the Magistrate’s Court.
And that is when the peaceful demonstration turned violent as Vasquez, who is also accused of the murder of thirteen year old Jasmine Lowe, was hit across the head with an umbrella by Jasmine’s father, Christopher Lowe.
Juliana Guerra, Santa Elena Resident
Juliana Guerra
“He do worse than that. He noh deserve fi go dah no way. He deserved it. We gwen dah hospital. Aye yi yi; you really want know why I vex? Because I couldn’t get this rope around his neck because I too short and police push me. If dehn neva push me, right now I mi wah got ahn hang up yah so. We serious. We are serious about this situation. We are not going to tolerate any more crime nor will we tolerate law enforcement protecting criminals. We are tired and we get enough. And today we get enough and we mean it. We are serious.”
Sr. Supt. Chester Williams
“I’ve been so helpful but the public has overstepped its boundaries today. We must understand that as we try to work with the public, the public must work with us. The people asked for a peaceful demonstration and what took place with Mister Vasquez was uncalled for. 
There is a legal system; we have a system that works and we must allow that system to take its course. Mister Vasquez is before the Court on a number of charges; let the court decide whether or not he is guilty. The prosecution, the police; we will do our best to present the best case possible. It is then up to the Magistrate to decide the guilt or innocence of the person. It is not for the public to try or crucify him. Mister Vasquez was assaulted on his way to court with an umbrella. The person is in our custody and he will be charged with wounding. Mister Vasquez has been attended to by a doctor who has classified the injuries as wounding. So that person will be arraigned today.”
Lowe was arrested by officers and later charged for wounding Vasquez. He was given bail this afternoon and despite refusing to comment, here’s what he had to say.
Duane Moody
“Mister Lowe, any comment on what you did?”
Christopher Lowe
Christopher Lowe, Father of Jasmine Lowe
“No, no.”
Duane Moody
“What triggered it? Was it your anger; your frustration with the system?”
Christopher Lowe
“It was the bloody silly smirk he got when he got people around him; but I don’t have any comment.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
Vasquez says his attorney is Simeon Sampson who was not in court today. After receiving medical attention, Vasquez was given full disclosure on four of the thirteen charges of aggravated assault. He will return to the San Ignacio Magistrate’s court on August eighth when he will receive disclosure on the remaining charges. Six days after, on August fourteenth, he will face the court for the murder of Jasmine Lowe.
If Mr. Lowe had killed Vasquez today, I would acquit him if I were his juror. He would have been justified killing Vasquez while he assaulted poor Jasmine, and I have no problem at all if he does it a little bit late.
I hope Vazquez is a dead man walking, just waiting to die and not knowing when his time will come.
Only an umbrella Mr. Lowe use? it should have been a baseball bat
I agree with with letting the court do its justice, but boy, oh boy, did he deserve that whap, in his head! he had it coming………………I totally understand, Mr. Lowe!
PRISON FARM (The Sustainable Rehabilitation Center) FOR LIFE… There he can EARN HIS KEEP and CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY at NO COST TO TAX-PAYERS.
WE (tax-payers) DO NOT WANT TO ROOM and BOARD THIS BUM for THE REST OF HIS LIFE.
Lol they wap the man with the handle, he is very lucky the man never ice ah or give ah the Arthur Young treatment.
Christopher Lowe was detained……….. Excellent! Great news. Congrats to the police. Where does he get off assaulting anyone? It is not over until it is over.
Honestly, I don’t buy the story that the Lowes are greiving their loss. Could Lowe be pretending to deflect attention on himself? I am not accusing. I am thinking out loud. What does the mom know? Did she take a few dollars from a male admirer of Jasmine to faciltate access to Jasmine?
Vasquez is a scumbag and deserves whatever is coming; but did he rape and kill Jasmine? Something does not smell right, the case seems to simple. Girl gets raped and killed. Killer gets arrested within 48 hours. Now killer goes to jail. End of story? It is not over until it is over.
Hang him hang him high.
The people of Belize City need to take a lesson from the people in Cayo. It will take the coming together of an entire community to send a message to the criminals that they are in the minority and the majority won’t be held captives. I could only imagine Mr Lowe’s pain, to raise his daughter and building a future for her only to have this …….. Vasquez take it away from her. I hear what Mr Williams is saying about keeping order, but the people are sending a message, either you do your job and give justice or we will do it for you and take it vigilante style.
Go for it people of Cayo, keep the pressure on, not on just this case but keep on seeking justice for the community and give the criminals something to think about.
I visit my family in Belize all the time, and this psycho always tried to court me…Always offering me rides. Thank God I never gave in. I could be dead right now…Poor girl. I hope he gets what he deserves.
I visit my family in Belize all the time, and this psycho always tried to court me…Always offering me rides. Thank God I never gave in. I could be dead right now…Poor girl. I hope he gets what he deserves.
WHY THE MADA !@#$ THEY HAD TO CALL A DOCTOR FOR BERT PERVERT VASQUEZ???
SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS !@#$%^& SYSTEM, MR LOWE IS HURTING AND FRUSTRATED,
AND YES I AGREE THAT IS DISGUSTING TO SEE THE BERT PERVERT VASQUEZ WITH THAT EVIL SMILE ON HIS FACE, MEIN, WISH HE COULD GET A BULLET ON THAT UGLY FACE. THAT SUCKER,
WE WILL STAND STRONG FOR THE RIGHT OF OUR CHILDREN, AND WE WILL MAKE SURE JUSTICE IS SERVED ON BEHAVE OF JASMINE AND ALL THE OTHER LITTLE GIRLS, BERT PERVERT VASQUEZ.
HE GOT A SMALL SCRATCH ON HIS HEAD AND THEY CALLED POLICE!!! , HE DESERVE A BULLET.
I AM FRIGGIN VEX OVER THE FACT THAT A DOCTOR WAS CALLED TO SEE HIM, THEY SHOULD HAVE JUST POURED A BOTTLE OF ALCOHOL OVER HIS WOUND SO HE FEEL (WAN LEE SOMTHING) STILL NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT HE HAS DONE TO THE CHILDREN OF THIS NATION.
PLEASE KEEP THIS EVIL DEVIL IN JAIL FOR HIS OWN SAFETY, ONCE HE COMES OUT OF JAIL
BELIEVE ME, HE IS A DEAD MAN.
BERT VASQUEZ IS A WALKING DEAD, FOR THE PEOPLE ARE JUST WAITING TO HEAR HE GOT BAILED!!!
THEN YOU WILL SEE ACTION.
BERT STAY AT COLBYS RESORT OK, WHERE YOU CAN REST, DINE AND WINE, ENJOY IT BWAY,
FOR ONCE YOU SET FOOT FOR YOUR NOT DESERVE FREEDOM, YOU WILL BE SEND TO PURGATORY.
SHUT UP UINCLE BENJI!!!!!!!!! I know Mr Lowe, and he would NEVA EVA do such a thing. Youre the sickest thing if you think that man.
Where is a person is inocent until proven guilty.Is’nt Belize a country of law,or we take the law into or hand.Everyone deserve a fair trial.I do not care who you are.This man will get his day in court,and if the evidence shows that he is guilty then his punishment will be what is prescribed by law.
They should give him a taste of what he did that girl in jail!! I hope they give a bail, then he wa gat more fi worry bout than one lee umbrella.
Ahahahahahaha……Bert The Pervert get wah umbrella to ih head, should have gotten more than that. The saga continues…watch it play out.
a few stiches is notin compared to what mr. lowe felt when his daughter was murdered. He should have gotten more. I wish people here in belize would take justice in their own hands.
Reward for anyone who puts a bullet in Pervert Vasques head…..$$$$$$$$$
This makes me cry whenever i read about this case
you have to wonder why Mr, Williams is so upset about Bert getting hit. Why are they protecting him so much using our tax dollars when they could be use to protect the victims instead of the criminals.
I do not agree with violence but i think he deserved the Hit Mr. Lowe gave him and much more. He needs to be given to the ppl in Cayo for them to hang him because even hanging is too small a punishment for him.
Bert is innocent… Don’t insult him, how u know he is the one who killed Jasmin ????
IT COULD BE ANY ONE EVEN SOME ONE CLOSE TO THE FAMILY….
THINK TWICE AND DON’T JUDGE IF YOU ARE NOT SURE… PEOPLE MIGHT BE JUDGING THE WRONG PERSON!!!
I share Mr Lowe’s sentiments any parents losing a child would feel this way you can only hold back your feelings for so long this is just the beginning for Mr Vasquez when the wrath of God falls upon him it wont just be an umbrella he would be feeling in his head. I admire the people from Cayo they stand in solidarity and unity the rest of the country should follow Cayo. This man deserves to be hanged perverts like this should not be allowed to roam free on our streets .
I hope and pray that justice is served to those who are seeking it. God bless Belize.
As a father with two daughters it brought me to tears when I read this article. I can only imagine how it feels to loose your daughter in such a violent way and then have to stand by as the accused walks by with a smirk on his face. I wonder where a person would find the strength to refrain from striking out. Honestly, hate for Vasquez would consume me to the point of an eye for an eye.
I personally think we should all boycot any Lawyer who represent criminals we (community) know are guilty. How much murderers get off because these lawyer get them off. how do they live with themselves. SHAME!!!
@maria maria—If he was bloody inocent bitch he wouldn’t be smirking!!! open ur F#$%ng eyes! and i dont know why chester williams was getting on like a B—tch!!!! watch your English!!! seems you need to hit the subject and verb agreement! Y are u in that position anyways?????? That studying was not worth it??i couldd have done better!!!!
@maria maria—If he was bloody inocent bitch he wouldn’t be smirking!!! open ur !#$%ng eyes! and i dont know why chester williams was getting on like a !@#$%!!!! watch your English!!! seems you need to hit the subject and verb agreement! Y are u in that position anyways?????? That studying was not worth it??i couldd have done better!!!!
Remember a TIME TO KILL? Mr Lowe should have used an ice pick and stick him in his eyes…Chester Williams is an excellent officer but today he disappointed me talking about the residents have gone too far. We all know that if it had been his child or the prime minister’s daughter this pervert would not have seen trial. The system doesn’t work Mr. Williams, it is too corrupted! Don’t give us false hope. The alleged shooter of Rodwell Williams was tried without a jury, why? Is his life more important than that of Jasmine? the system only protects the wealthy…
I feel so sorry for Jasmine’s family. Mr. Lowe was acting ‘temporarily insane’ brought on by ‘extreme emotional distress’. NO jury in the world would find him guilty. I am totally in support of Mr. Lowe. I only wish the person next to him had a steel bat in his/her hand and not an umbrella.
‘Uncle Benji’ and ‘Maria Maria’ you all obviously have no kids or no heart or no SENSE. Pervert Vasquez had that child’s ring. It is called a ‘trophy’. This is what pedophiles keep until they get bored and move on to a next victim. If you never lost a loved one to murder, or have buried your own child then maybe you need to “SHUT THE FRONT DOOR”. Obviously, you two are the epitome of what is wrong with our society. You would prefer to side with the criminal.
Cayo people, keep it up! Mr. Lowe: Your family remains in my prayers.
Look like the cayo police department has nothing better to do than to victimize an old man tearing his shirt and charging him. Don’t they have anything else better to do than to be protecting an alleged criminal. They should be out busy solving cases and protecting victims instead of all of them doing nothing but bunching up to protect this man. I really would like to know why this man is getting such special treatment.
Every one is protecting this @&&*&%# including the media. Why hide who is protecting him? Why dont you tell everyone. Just go to the belize forums a d you will know. I said it but you guys in …………… Too bad he is still alive and i hope he gets out and do what he knows best to one close member of the family that are protecting him.
I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR UMBRELLAS I DID NOT KNOW THAT THEY COULD CAUSE THAT KIND OF DAMAGE TO A MAN’S HEAD WOW SIX STICHES CHO MAN…
KILL KILL pervert Vasquez, my Cayo people! If I were Mr Lowe or any other of his victims a !@#$%^& sniper bullet would have hit his head not an umbrella. That !@#$%^&*()_ lost all his human right the minute he decided to prey on innocent children. Don’t know why the police treat him so special. mein what a shame! somethings neva change da di so called ” tarnish Jewel”. Murders rapist and child molesters are always treated as first class citizens, where as their innocent victims and family members are treated as low class. Bravo Belice your judicial system is as !@#$%^ and smelly as your outdoor tyilits.
Seven months into the year and already 17 murders acquitted, With such statistics pervert Vasquez chances of being a free man are 99.9% . All his victims must be feeling might optimistic that justice will be served, right Mr Williams? I hope to God If he ever gets to walk free the people in Cayo tear him to pieces.. You’re walking dead perv, pervert Vasquez.. watch your back.
May the darkest corner of hell be reserved for Vasquez and every !@#$%^& murder and pedophile like him.
To those of you out there who think that the @$$hole vasquez is innocent, it’s because he is your friend and he you have a daughter you should hand her over to him so he can be entertained, you guys that support that criminal must have your @$$ where your head should be. I my self would like to put a bin his head he what Mr Lowe gave him was only a sample of what he deserved. He needs a hot rod up his @$$.