Kareem Musa on Hiring of Special Prosecutor for Nah’s Triple Murder Trial

A special prosecutor, in the person of Terrence Williams from Jamaica, is being retained by the Government of Belize for the murder trial of Elmer Nah, who is accused of the triple murders of Jon, David and Vivian Ramnarace in Belmopan on New Year’s Eve 2022. Today, News Five caught up with Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa who says that despite the Special Prosecutor Bill being knocked down by the Senate, a writ will allow for Williams to be brought in. Minister Musa says that this is in no way questioning the integrity of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl-Lyn Vidal, due to the professional and familial ties that the accused has with her ex-husband, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Marco Vidal. 

Kareem Musa

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“The government as we had indicated a few months ago made the decision that because of the familial relationship of the D.P.P. with the accused Elmer Nah that it would have been necessary that the government contract the services of a special prosecutor. And that’s not to say that there is anything untoward with the D.P.P.  We have every trust and confidence that in fact, she would not have shown any bias, but at the same time for perception purposes it was necessary for us to contract the services of a special prosecutor, given the circumstances.  As you might recall, we took a Special Prosecutors Bill to the national assembly which was voted down by the senate. The opposition as well as the social partner senators decided not to vote in favour of it which I find to be unfortunate. But in the circumstances, we have proceeded with the normal course which is that a writ to prosecute will be issued by the D.P.P. so as to enable Mister Terrence Williams to carry out the special prosecution in this case. This is a case that is special, that requires special attention and we have to recognize that; that there is a familial connection between the current D.P.P. and the accused and it is important for justice – not just for justice, but the perception of justice – that we ensure that it is an above board prosecution, above board investigation and that requires bringing somebody else who does not have a connection to the accused. And so it is absolutely vital in the circumstances of this particular case that we have a special prosecutor.”