Driver will face trial instead of copping plea

A scheduled sentencing in the Supreme Court had its own delay of justice when instead of a wrist slap, a Belize City taxi driver was given a trial date. Forty-four year old Valentine Ferguson appeared before Justice Adolph Lucas this morning to hear his fate after pleading guilty to two counts of causing death by careless conduct. As usual, the jury empanelled to hear the case was dismissed … but when it came time for mitigation pleas, Ferguson’s attorney, Linsbert Willis, made remarks that Justice Lucas felt were an indication that his client was maintaining his innocence. Willis attempted to rebut, but Justice Lucas would have none of it and instead scheduled a date of March seventh for the case — on the original manslaughter charges — to be heard by a jury. On June nineteenth 2004, Ferguson was driving around mile eight on the Northern Highway when he collided into a car travelling in the opposite direction. His common-law wife and a passenger in the other vehicle were killed. Ferguson was initially charged with two counts of manslaughter by negligence, but earlier this week opted to plead guilty to the reduced charge of causing death by careless conduct.