Police Corporal Darius Martinez Out on Bail

Forty-four year old Corporal, Darius Martinez has so far spent six weeks of an eighteen month conviction in jail for Attempting to Corrupt a Public Officer, but today he got a break. His attorney, Anthony Sylvester is appealing the conviction and this morning took the matter to the Supreme Court seeking a stay of execution and bail.  He argued that there is the likelihood that Martinez will serve his conviction before the appeal is heard.  Judge Herbert Lord heard the bail application and by noon this afternoon, the stay of execution was granted and Martinez was offered bail in the sum of six thousand dollars plus two sureties of three thousand dollars each.  Judge Lord also imposed conditions for Martinez to surrender his travelling documents to the court before he could post bail and he must also report to the Dangriga police station on Mondays and Fridays.  The court also ordered Martinez not to interfere with the virtual complainant and stay away from her home or work. Martinez was convicted on September thirtieth, 2014 before Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith and sentenced to eighteen months for attempting to corrupt Women Police Corporal Stacey Smith, a member of the Gang Suppression Unit.  Allegations are that on May 2011, the officer was working as a security guard at the Orange Walk home of millionaire, John McAffee when it was searched and items were taken by the police.  It is further alleged that Martinez, approached her to assist him in taking care of a certain female who was detained. Martinez was also trying to get information as to a diary that the police had confiscated from McAfee’s home. That conversation was recorded by Smith and heard in court. Corporal Martinez was heard asking the female officer if she wanted to make some money without doing anything illegal. So tonight the co has obtained Supreme Court bail.