How Much Time Will Voila Pook Serve Behind Bars?

Voila Pook

Sentencing took place today by Judge Adolph Lucas, of Viola Pook who set her common-law-husband, Orlando Vasquez, on fire on December thirty first, 2008. Pook was sentenced to eight years behind bars last week minus the time she has served since the incident. After calculations, today Pook learnt that within a year or less she will be a free woman.  Her family told us this morning, that they will be applying to the parole board for an early hearing. It was a bitter sweet moment for the Pook family; her daughters Violet and Christy say they have no bad feelings towards Vasquez and are happy their mother is coming home. Violet says that many women are suffering from battered-women syndrome in silence.

Violet Jeffords

Violet Jeffords, Daughter of Voila Pook

“To be honest, for years, my mother had been suffering…she suffered sleepless nights, restless days and many times, she cried more than smile. We suffered mentally as children and to be honest, many days we can still remember every single thing that happened. My mom is of age and I think she has paid most of what she went through already and we prefer her to be at home. We love her very much, miss her a whole lot and I am sure the grandkids will love to have her home. Nevertheless, most women in Belize suffer for this same reason. Ladies I am appealing to you, if you are going through the same thing my mother was going through, open up, talk to anyone; someone can help you. Please. Just open your minds speak what is happening to you, say this is happening, that is happening…someone out there will be able to help you along the way.”

Pook was found guilty in July 2011 of murder and a retrial was ordered.  She was found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter in the retrial and on October twenty-second, after the court learnt that she suffered from battered-women syndrome.