Bail denied for one of two accused in home burglary

Leon Weir Blease

Despite no objection from prosecutors, Supreme Court Justice Adolph Lucas denied bail to one of two men accused of a home invasion in Belize City, who were previously denied in the first instance at the Magistrate’s Court. Thirty-three-year-old Leon Weir, also known as Leon Blease, is accused along with Laquan Flowers of breaking into the home of businesswoman, Zenaida Allen of Belize City. The Crown was predisposed not to object, according to Crown Counsel Jacqueline Willoughby, despite Blease’s previous criminal record. But it was also noted in court that there is surveillance footage which is said to have caught the accused in the act and that Blease refused to submit himself to an identification parade. Blease’s attorney Leroy Banner said his client was not given the facts of the case in his Magistrate’s Court appearance. But Justice Lucas decided to deny bail due to the prevalence of the offense and other circumstances, including the evidence before him. The judge ordered that if Blease is not tried on or before March fourteenth, 2018 in the Magistrate’s Court, he can reapply for bail. The result of Flowers’ application is pending. A third person, an eighteen-year-old, is charged with handling stolen goods for having a cell phone belonging to Allen and is out on bail. Flowers is being represented by Herbert Panton.