Jury unable to reach verdict in carnal knowledge case

But in the Supreme Court, a jury of seven women and two men deliberated for about two and a half hours and was unable to reach a verdict in the carnal knowledge trial of forty-nine year old Joel Hernandez. Hernandez, a watchman from Calla Creek Village is accused of the carnal knowledge of a thirteen year old girl in September 2006. The girl testified that Hernandez took her to the Calla Creek Bridge and had sex with her. The child’s mother told the court she became aware that something was wrong when she saw a stain on her daughter’s underwear and took the child to the doctor, who certified that she was carnally known. For his part, Hernandez maintained that at the time of the alleged incident he was in Belmopan working as a watchman. He called two witnesses who corroborated his alibi and testimony. Hernandez, who is out on bail, will get a retrial when the Supreme Court resumes in April. He was represented by Oswald Twist, while Crown Counsel Elizabeth Purcell represented the prosecution. Hearing the case was newly appointed Justice, Oswald Legall.