Mexicans deliver forensic conclusions in three cases
Police held a press conference today to report on the conclusions of forensic experts in three high profile cases. The evidence, all involving firearms, was sent to the crime lab in Chetumal and this afternoon Mexican officials formally handed over the files. The results, as explained by Belize’s chief forensic analyst, Genoveva Marin, indicated that the death of Juan Dorado in Cayo was homicide and not suicide, while the opposite held true in the death of Eder Alamilla in Belize City. As for Brian Herrera, already charged with murder, the analysis showed that the same gun also killed a second victim.
Genoveva Marin, Chief Forensic Analyst
?What we have for Juan Dorado, it was being ruled as suicide in the first instance. With what we have as the reconstruction of all the evidence that we forwarded, it is now being treated as a homicide rather than suicide.
?Eder Alamilla for the same, it was also being treated as suicide from the first instance and there was a lot of allegations as to questions that arose from the investigations and other interests into the investigation. The evidence also forwarded is also indicative and would be leading to what was the initial, suicide.
?Brian Herrera is the suspect of two shootings in Belize City. In this case what we wanted to do was to compound that one firearm was used in both instances rather than just speculating that yes it was one person doing both killings. And again, this has been confirmed by our counterparts in Mexico, Chetumal.?
For two members of the Alamilla family, what should have brought closure, seemed instead only to raise more questions in their minds over how their brother Eder died.
Giovanni Alamilla, Eder?s Brother
?We can?t bring back our brother, but we just want the evidence checked and everything done thoroughly and the case is closed. Done! It?s not like…?
Genoveva Marin
?Let?s not conclude here, and maybe you can apply to the D.P.P.?s office who might be the right authority to determine if this can continue and we can be sending it until we get your satisfaction. Okay, so that is the through the D.P.P.?s office, not…?
Giovanni Alamilla
?The family has never really been satisfied because we lost our brother, but just having a second opinion. As with anything, if you go to a doctor and the doctor can tell you, you have cancer and you get cut and you don?t have cancer without going to check somewhere else. You have to get…?
Genoveva Marin
?Can we say that you will do that, you will apply to the D.P.P.?s office, which is the right authority, yes.?
Police declined to release details of the forensic evidence, particularly in the Dorado and Herrera cases. When journalists sought clarification of what appeared to be discrepancies between what the Mexicans were saying and how their words were being translated, Assistant Commissioner of Police Crispin Jeffries launched into a criticism of the media which effectively brought the press conference to a close.
In related news, two members of the Belize Police Department are currently in India receiving advanced training in fingerprint analysis.
