Jury convicts rapist; sentencing set for Monday

With all the acquittals, withdrawals and nolle prosequis in recent sexual assault cases, it comes as almost a shock to learn that a rapist has actually been convicted. He is forty-five year old Kent Francis of Belize City. This afternoon a jury of four men and five women found him guilty of Rape, Aggravated Burglary, Aggravated Assault and Threats of Death. On the night of January tenth, 2005, an enraged and jealous Francis, forced his way into his victim’s residence, where he threatened to kill her and then raped her at gunpoint. Francis will be sentenced on Monday by Justice Troadio Gonzales following his plea for mitigation. Francis was defended by attorney Dean Lindo, while the case for the crown was presented by Audrey Matura.