Christian Espat Hands Himself Over to Police; Denies Involvement in Double Murder
This morning, a wanted poster for twenty-three-year-old Christian Espat, a well-known person to police and alleged gangster on San Pedro Town, began circulating on social media. Espat was reportedly wanted for questioning for the double murder of tour guide Mario Graniel and prominent US doctor Gary Swank. On Wednesday, several persons including a woman were detained for questioning. Both men were killed on Sunday morning while fly fishing a mile west of San Pedro Town. Investigators believe that Doctor. Swank was a victim of circumstances while Graniel is said to have been the target. Prior to his murder, a lone gunman targeted Graniel at his apartment in the Boca del Rio area, however, Graniel failed to report the matter to the police. According to Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, Graniel had a misunderstanding with a notorious gang figure in San Pedro town. And while police continue their investigations, Espat has taken to social media to not only deny accusations of his alleged involvement in the double murder, but also proclaimed his innocence. Espat recorded a one minute video in which he says that he will hand himself over to San Pedro police because he has absolutely no involvement in the murder of Mario Graniel and Doctor Gary Swank.
Christian Espat
Christian Espat, San Pedro Resident
“I just went into Facebook and I received a call because they say that they got me for wanted for a suspect for a murder. I am going to hand in myself because I know I am innocent of this charge. I don’t have anything to do with this. Like usual, they always charged me for no reason. That is a fact. That always happens to me. So I am going to hand over myself to San Pedro. But watch this; I am handing over myself clean I don’t have any bruises. I don’t have anything on me. Clean, clean. After this when go hand in myself, I know to my heart that they will beat me up. They will send me to jail again. I will leave everything in the Father’s hand because to my heart, I don’t have any against these people who they are accusing me. They helped me to come out of jail. So I will hand in myself. I want to see what they will do with me now because I know that I don’t have anything against these people. I don’t have nothing, so I am going to go hand in myself right now.”
Espat presented himself in the company of his attorney, Leeroy Banner.
