Trial opens tomorrow in 14-year-old’s death

And in a final piece of crime news, the court martial of three British soldiers accused in the killing of fourteen-year-old David Zabaneh opens tomorrow, more than two years after he was beaten to death. By agreement with the Belize Government, the trial will be held under British Military law. The original charge of murder has been reduced to “violent disorder” due to lack of evidence. The proceedings will get underway Tuesday morning at ten at the George Price Centre in Belmopan and are expected to last for as long as a month. At present plans are for the court to convene on the Wednesday holiday, but it is not clear what will happen if local witnesses are called to testify on that day. The trial is open to the public.