Danny Mason and others to Belmopan court for kidnapping P.I.

William Mason

Already facing charges of murder in the Supreme Court, the notorious William “Danny” Mason and five co-accused could face a separate trial for kidnapping in two weeks. Mason; Ashton Vanegas of Camalote Village; brothers: Keiron Fernandez and Terrence Fernandez, as well as Ernest Henry Castillo, all of Roaring Creek Village, this morning appeared in the Belmopan Magistrate’s Court. A preliminary inquiry presided over by Senior Magistrate Merlene Moody took place into the alleged kidnapping of a Mennonite couple, one Lloyd Thiessen and his wife. In February of 2017, Mason and his co-accused were similarly committed for trial for the murder of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas and conspiracy to commit murder and kidnapping of Pastor Lucas and David Dodd. Lucas was beheaded and when Mason was apprehended, Lucas’ head was found in a container in his vehicle. That case is still pending to be heard. Mason and his co-accused were represented by attorney Herbert Panton of Belize City. Panton made a very lengthy submission requesting that the kidnapping charges be thrown out for insufficient evidence to prove them. Replying for the Crown this morning was Prosecutor, Sergeant Bonifacio Rash, who submitted that the statements given by the complainants, the Mennonite couple, were sufficient to amount to a prima facie case against the accused, and thus the matter should be sent up to the Supreme Court for trial. Senior Magistrate Moody reserved her ruling on the matter for May seventh, 2018.