Court of Appeal Hands Down Decision in 3 Cases

Jason Bruce Lawrence

The Belize Court of Appeal concluded its sitting today with a number of judgements.  The appeal of Jason Bruce Lawrence, who was facing a life sentence for a murder conviction, was reduced to manslaughter and was sentenced to eighteen years, less time already served. The court’s view was that it was a case of diminished responsibility. Back in May of 2014, Lawrence was convicted of the murder of his common-law wife, Mercedes Carrillo. She was involved in a dispute with Lawrence and was reportedly stabbed at their Burrell Boom house.

Krismar Espinosa

The court also dismissed the appeal of Krismar Espinosa, who was convicted of manslaughter for the death of Rachel Chun, in September 2007.  Chun was sexually assaulted and bashed with a concrete block in Santa Familia. Her body was found in an abandoned building several days later. Espinosa was convicted in June 2015 to sixteen years less seven years he had already spent behind bars.

Tony Pasos

In a third case, the court dismissed the appeal by thirty-two-year-old Tony Pasos who was charged with murder, but was convicted of manslaughter for the death of Miguel Moises Medina.  The deceased was stabbed forty-two times at a house in Orange Walk Town. In August of 2016, Pasos was sentenced to seventeen years, less the time he had severed on remand.  He goes back behind bars to complete his sentence.