Two charged for murder of Brannon brothers
In the early hours of Sunday morning two brothers were gunned down … and today two young men were officially charged with the murders. News Five’s Jacqueline Godwin has the update.
Today Ricardo Aguilar and Joseph Kee were arrested and charged with two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, four counts of conspiracy to commit murder, and two counts of use of deadly means of harm.
A.S.P. Chester Williams, Head, C.I.B.
?I believe that without the assistance of the community we wouldn?t have been where we are today. Secondly, I must give thanks likewise to the officers who work countless hours in trying to bring these two cases to a close. Even though it?s not fully closed, but at least we have gathered sufficient evidence?
Head of the Crimes Investigation Branch, Assistant Superintendent Chester Williams would not comment on what evidence they have against the duo only that they believe it is strong. Today Police say they have launched a man hunt for their third suspect Taedron Bennett who they believe to be hiding out somewhere in Belize.
A.S.P. Chester Williams
?We have issued a warrant in the first instance for his arrest, so now we have sufficient evidence to be able to prepare a warrant for his arrest. There will be an all bulletin, including posters with his photograph for the public to see. In the event that anyone might have information as to where he may be.?
?Up to this morning, my officers were out since three o?clock going to every house we believe we could find him and we did not find him. If he was in plain sight I personally will go for him.?
Williams says their investigation has led them to believe the killings were as a result of the altercation between the suspects and the victims at the Belize City Centre that led to the shootings and murders of Kevin and Philip Brannon. At this time police would comment on the role Aguilar or Kee played in the murders.
A.S.P. Chester Williams
?I must mention that not just because two persons have been arrested means the investigation is closed. The investigation is still underway. We?ve charged them because at this point in time we have sufficient evidence to file charges against them for the murders, but the investigation will continue over a period of time because we want to gather sufficient evidence so that when it goes to court we have enough to secure a conviction?
However, police have been unable to locate the murder weapons identified as nine millimetre pistols. According to police it appears that Aguilar, Kee and Bennett all owned similar weapons.
A.S.P. Chester Williams
?No we do not have the murder weapons ironically Aguilar reported his firearm stolen in a burglary and Kee also reported that his firearms was stolen on Friday. We don not believe both stories and we are also looking at that.?
?You do not have to have a murder weapon in order to get a murder conviction. The murder weapon would be good to have as exhibit yes, but in the absence of that there still could good evidence to secure a conviction.?
According to Williams at this time Ephrain Aguilar is not charged with any offence because they need to confirm if a burglary occurred at the family?s residence. Police say they also have in custody Aguilar and Kee?s girlfriends whom witnesses claim were taken out of the vehicle just before the shootings started.
A.S.P. Chester Williams
?I also need to mention that we have the girlfriends in custody at this time and we are also looking at them during the investigation.?
Today, Williams says they cannot say for certain if it was a grey tracker or another vehicle that resembles the SUV but there was also a truck involved.
A.S.P. Chester Williams
?We are still looking for that vehicle we received some tips yesterday in relation to the vehicle but when we acted on them they were unsuccessful.?
?We cannot say if certainly it was a tracker because vehicles a night looks a like. We have the Suzuki Sidekick, we have the Vitaras, we have the Trackers, they almost have the same built. So the witness who saw the vehicle can not say directly it was a Tracker. But we are looking for any vehicle that comes close to Tracker.?
Today Said Perdomo was released because police say there were no evidence to charge him with the crime. On Tuesday James Busch was released form custody. But his grey tracker remains impounded at the Queen Street police station. Jacqueline Godwin for News Five.
On last night’s newscast we erroneously reported that Brian Kee, Joseph’s older brother, had been detained for questioning by police, when in fact it was Joseph who was interrogated. We apologize for the case of mistaken identity. Both Kee and Aguilar have been remanded to Hattieville Prison.
