Accused Murderers William ‘Danny’ Mason et al Return to Court with News Attorneys
The infamous William ‘Danny’ Mason and his associates were back before Supreme Court Justice Antoinette Moore in Belmopan today. This time, Mason went in armed with a new attorney, Dexter Todd of Guyana. Todd arrived in the country on Monday and was seen in the company of Mason’s wife, Melissa Ferguson. Mason retained the services of Todd after his previous attorneys Herbert Panton and Rachel Montejo were released. Before appearing before Justice Moore, Todd was called to the bar this morning in Belize City. Later in the morning, Mason along with co-accused murderers: Terence Fernandez who is represented by Iliana Swift, Ashton Vanegas who is represented by Norman Rodriguez, Keiron Fernandez who is represented by Bryan Neal, and Ernest Castillo who is represented by Baja Shoman, were brought to court under heavy police guard. The men are accused of the 2016 beheading of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas whose head was found in the pan of Mason’s pickup truck. Since the change of attorney, the court today allowed the lawyers three weeks to review the depositions in order for the trial to continue in mid-June. Todd explains.
Dexter Todd
Dexter Todd, Attorney for William ‘Danny’ Mason
“What has basically happened today is that I was given an opportunity to be brought up to date with has transpired so far which I believe is very important and I believe I commend the system here in Belize in relation to doing that. I have been promised the depositions or the evidence that have been taken in the matter so far. I have asked for about three weeks to really study the material. That time was afforded to me by the court and I am indeed grateful for that. I believe we have set a date in June where we will try to run the trial from that date nonstop. Because there are five counsels in the matter I would suppose that other counsels have their own timeline and agenda to work with in terms of their diary, scheduling of matters. It was not a challenge. We all consented to a time period in which I can return to Belize and deal with the matter right through. That is all what really transpired today. The court accommodating us and I believe I am so appreciated of that for us to be properly prepared to continue the trial from where it had stopped.”
Reporter
“Will this be one of your most challenges cases thus far seeing that at least eighteen witnesses have already taken the stand and there are already some evidence that have been taken in as yet?”
Dexter Todd
“Well the court took care of that. What the court is that when we have an opportunity to review the evidence the court will give us an opportunity to recall those witnesses. I think that is the best thing that can happen. Each lawyer has their own style and let’s say that a lawyer, in his or her own style, might have said, listen I allow this evidence to go without testing it. The court is giving us an opportunity to do that now. I think the court is doing its best to ensure that this trial is a fair one and I think that goes well for the jurisprudence of Belize.”
The case was adjourned to June eighteenth.
