News of a kidnapping; perpetrator accosted cab driver

Derrick Sanchez

A Belize City man who terrorized a taxi-man after taking his cab was found guilty of kidnapping in the court of Justice Adolph Lucas.  The sensational case stems from an incident which occurred in July, 2011. Thirty-nine year old Rodrick Williams told the court that he was driving his taxi in the area of the Belcan Bridge when two men flagged him for a ride. He was ordered to drive to a road near the Friendship Restaurant and then forced into the rear seat and the vehicle was taken to the Northern Highway. Williams managed to jump out and escape in Ladyville, while his taxi was later fished from the Belize River. The accused, thirty-four year old Derrick Sanchez, claimed that he was in the taxi, but left before the taxi-man was abducted. In his caution statement to Police, Sanchez admitted he was present at the time of the incident, but in court he claimed that the statement was obtained under duress. In the end, the judge ruled that the statement was admissible and a jury of seven men and two women started deliberating on his fate at noon.  Four and a half hours later, the jury returned with a guilty verdict for the charge of kidnapping. Sanchez will return to court on July second for sentencing.