Kriston Francis Charged with Murder of Adrian Pook

Kriston Francis

The suspect who shot and killed Adrian Pook is on remand for murder at the Belize Central Prison. Eighteen-year-old Kriston Francis, a sanitation worker of Aloe Vera Street, was unrepresented when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford, where he was read a single charge of murder. The incident occurred on April thirtieth on Ordonez Street in the Lake Independence area of Belize City. No plea was taken from Francis and due to the nature of the offense, bail was denied. He was remanded into custody at the Belize Central Prison until July tenth. Pook was gunned down right outside of his home. The suspect was hiding in the family yard and fired the fatal shot over the fence. At his arraignment, Chief  Magistrate, Jayani  Wegodapola saw the visible injuries on Francis’s body and asked him if he was injured and if his injuries were before he was detained or after. Francis told the court that he was injured on the day of the incident, but he didn’t specify which incident. Francis had injuries to his left ring finger and abrasions to his face and back of the neck. He was reportedly apprehended in the yard by the family who had to use physical force to restrain him. Pook’s father wrestled the gun out of his hand and said that Francis also had a knife, which he used to accidentally injure himself. Today after days under police guard at the hospital, Francis was discharged and taken to court. Several years ago, Adrian Pook and two other Pook brothers were acquitted of a murder that had occurred in the same neighborhood.