Esperanza Resident Charged for Maiming Another

A man from Esperanza Village in western Belize remains hospitalized after he came under attack by someone he knew. Isaias Estrada’s hand was severed in a confrontation with Shane Jeal.  The incident occurred over the weekend in the village when Estrada went to aid a neighbor, but ended up losing his hand and sustained injuries to his head. Here is News Five’s Duane Moody with a report.

Duane Moody, Reporting

A resident from Esperanza Village in the Cayo District has been charged for maim. Despite a caution statement in which he said that he acted in self-defense, Shane Jeal reportedly used a machete on Isaias Estrada, severing his left hand. An injured Estrada, who also received a chop wound to the head, ran for help and was later rushed for medical treatment; he now remains hospitalized at the Western Regional Hospital.

Hilberto Romero

Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero, Deputy Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch

“San Ignacio Police visited the Community Hospital where they found Isaias Estrada, thirty-one years, with a chopped wound to the head and an amputated left wrist. Investigation reveals that Shane Jeal was at home when he heard someone calling for him. Upon making checks, he saw Isaias Estrada and a female outside of his yard. A confrontation ensued after which a machete was pulled out and Isaias Estrada was chopped to the head and he received an amputated left wrist.”

Estrada, who is affectionately known as “Chaya,” was a Good Samaritan who went to the aid of his wife’s friend, who complained she was being harassed by her neighbor, Jeal, on Mi Dugee Street in the village. Diana Neal recounts what happened around 12:30 a.m. while her husband was working.

Voice of: Diana Neal, Witness

“Mi dog start bark like crazy and then I hear mi gate open so I put on mi light. When I come out, mi gate open. Afterwards I halla, “Shane I know dah you.” And I gone off, I start go on crazy and shout, “I know dah you.” And then he holla, “Yo ma.”  So I say, “I recognize yo voice my bwai.” Then I hurry text Miss Vicky and I tell ahn please send “Chaya” around make ih come check pan mi because dah noh di first time; dehn stone mi house, dehn try poison mi dog and we noh do nothing. So Vicky send the bwai, I deh dah di gate when he di come; “Chaya” deh outside. And I tell “Chaya” I know dah he cause I mi di go on crazy, holla and he say yo ma and I recognize ih voice. So afterwards, “Chaya” tell me, “D, lock yo gate and go inside.”

Neal says that Estrada was heading home when he was attacked by a machete wielding Jeal.

Voice of: Diana Neal

“He gone soh, Chaya, and I gone ina mi house when I hear bling. By the time I come out through di back door, well I can’t see nothing. then Vicky text me and say “Chaya” get chop; ih hand get chop and ih say dah Shane do it.”

Duane Moody

“So Chaya was leaving, going back home when…”

Diana Neal

“Yes it happen right deh by the post at the end of the fence.”

Police say that following its investigation, there was sufficient evidence to level the maim charge on Jeal earlier today.

Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero

“An investigation was conducted and all the elements were taken into account and at the end of the day, we decided to charge Jeal for maim.”

Duane Moody

“What do you do to ensure that you are safe, your kids safe and your husband?”

Diana Neal

“That ah wah good question. Weh I could do? Mi husband work.”

Duane Moody for News Five.