Marlon Peters Succumbs to Beating; Friend and Assailant Detained by San Ignacio Police
Marlon Peters
San Ignacio Police tonight have another apparent murder on their hands. The incident that precipitated the death of thirty-eight-year-old Marlon Peters took place ten days ago; however, the investigation has taken on a rapid pace after Peters’ unfortunate passing over the weekend. Police are now focusing on the man with whom Peters had his last violent and ultimately fatal altercation – his friend and neighbor, Errol Smith. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports from San Ignacio Town.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
An evening of socializing among a pair of friends who also happened to work with each other has ended with the murder of thirty-eight-year-old Marlon Peters. The incident in Santa Elena Town flew quietly below the radar when it failed to make the police blotter on July fourteenth. Peters and a colleague of his identified as Errol Smith were both drinking together when they reportedly got into an altercation in front of a residence. The physical attack left Peters severely injured after being beaten to a bloody pulp.
ASP Daniel Iche, Deputy O.C., San Ignacio Police
“On Friday, July fourteenth, 2014, at 4:55 pm, based on information received, San Ignacio Police visited a driveway on Maxi Street in Santa Elena Town. There the police officers saw a male person who was identified to be Marlon Peters, thirty-eight-year-old Belizean truck driver of number forty-six Perez Street in Santa Elena Town lying down on the driveway suffering from severe bruises to his face and his head. Investigation revealed that Peters and Errol Smith had an argument and began to wrestle. Peters fell and was thus severely punched and kicked by Smith to his face and head and subsequently went unconscious. Peters was transported to the San Ignacio Town Community Hospital [and] on the same day he was further transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for further treatment.”
Peters remained bedridden at the K.H.M.H. for a week, before succumbing to his injuries on Saturday morning. His attacker was detained at the outset, but was subsequently released from police custody without being charged.
Daniel Iche
ASP Daniel Iche
“Errol Smith was initially detained, however, he was released because we had not received a statement from Peters. On Saturday, July twenty-second around 5:10 a.m., San Ignacio Police were informed that Marlon Peters had passed away at the K.H.M.H. at about 3:37 a.m. that morning. Statements were recorded from witnesses, the scene was processed and a post mortem is underway at this time. The suspect, Errol Smith, was brought in to the station this morning by his attorney. He is currently in custody.”
The violent dustup that ended with Peters losing his life has shocked friends and relatives, who remember him as someone that was extremely family oriented.
Voice of: Marlon Peters’ Sibling
“To hear about something so senseless like this happening to our brother, it’s unbelievable, you know, it’s like it’s surreal. Like even the atmosphere, the air, nothing feels the same, you know, without Marlon here, you know, and it’s really a loss for us but we are praying and hoping that our God, we’re a family of God and that our God, the God that we serve will, of course, find that justice and give us that peace in our hearts. And so we would just want to say that Marlon, our very, very, very own, we will definitely, surely miss him.”
Errol Smith
Errol Smith remains in lockup at the San Ignacio Police Station. Charges have not been preferred pending the outcome of an autopsy, as well as instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
ASP Daniel Iche
“We are awaiting the results of the post mortem examination and we will forward the statements that we have thus far to the office of the D.P.P. for a directive.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.
