Jan 26, 2010

Eyewitness to Christopher Galvez’ murder speaks out

Twenty-three year old Christopher Galvez was murdered on the night of December twenty-second 2009. No one has been charged, but there have been a number of allegations on shoddy police work. Since the murder, more than a month ago, Yolanda Schakron has vowed that she would try to find out who murdered her nephew.  She has not yet reached that point but she believes she is one step closer to finding out. When Schakron publicly charged that there was a string of cover-ups by members of the Police Department, the official response was to set up a Commission of Inquiry.  It is also known that a corporal, who was reportedly at the scene of the murder, was transferred from Belize City. That, coupled with the quick release of Andre Aguilar, the friend who had picked up Galvez on the night he was killed, has led the family to have very little faith in the Police Department.  The Commission’s findings are not in as yet, but Schakron says she is encouraged by one bold eyewitness who has broken the silence.

That person came forth in the form of this declaration, given last Wednesday before a Commissioner of the Supreme Court and a Justice of the Peace.  For the sake of protecting the witness and his family, we have blocked out his name and address on this copy of the document. And to support his claim in the document, we spoke with him late this evening via telephone. He said Galvez called to meet him at Pipersburgh’s Boatyard because he was in fear.   And when we asked the witness why he changed a previous statement he gave to the police on the identity of the gunman, he said he was in fear for his life.

Via Phone: Eyewitness to Christopher Galvez’ Murder

“The person was choking him and he punched him in his mouth and when he got punched in his mouth, he pushed Chris towards the shooter.”

Marion Ali

“So there was not an argument?”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“No”

Marion Ali

“You never heard an argument?”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“Never did.”

Marion Ali

“When you saw what happened, what went through you?”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“I caught cold seed and then I was heading toward Chris and Chris said to me run.”

Marion Ali

“Were there any other gunshots after that one that killed Chris?”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“Two gunshots were actually expended after that.”

Marion Ali

“Do you know if anybody else was shot?”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“No. That was it for me actually. After Chris got shot and told me to run that was the end of it. I saw nothing else.”

Marion Ali

“So you were back of the yard?”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“No, front.”

Marion Ali

“But not inside any vehicle.”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“No, none at all.”

Marion Ali

“Did the incident happen as Chris and you arrived there or did it happen a while later?”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“A while later, like twenty minutes after. Chris was shot like eight-twenty to be exact, eight-twenty-one.”

Marion Ali

“This person who Chris was fighting with, did he know this person well or did he know him at all?”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“Yes, very well.  It was actually one of his closest friends.”

Marion Ali

“But was that person the same person that shot Chris?”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“No, another individual shot Chris.”

Marion Ali

“Was that individual one of the workmen at the boat site?”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“No ma’am. None at all.”

Marion Ali

“How many of you were there?”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“Six to be exact.”

Marion Ali

“Including yourself?”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“Yap.”

Marion Ali

“How close were you to the scene? How good was the lighting that night?”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“The lighting was quite excellent and I was right on the scene.”

Marion Ali

“How far away from where the shooting took place were you?”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“Like twenty feet.”

Marion Ali

“And the lighting was good so you could have seen everything and everyone.”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“Yap.”

Marion Ali

“These people who were there, did you know any of them at all aside from Chris who called you?”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“Yes, I do.”

Marion Ali

“They are your friends?” How do you know them?”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“They are not friends of mine, they are friends of Chris’, but I know them due to Chris.”

Marion Ali

“Did Chris ever explain to you why he was afraid that night? Why did he call you out there?”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“None at all.”

Marion Ali

“And you never asked him?”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“Never get the chance to.”

Marion Ali

“In your statement you explained why it is that you did not tell the entire truth as to who the shooter was that night. Do you think now that your written statement will be given any credibility?”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“Yes, it will. When you’re afraid for your life, dah wah funny thing. So first you have to look over you and other people around you.”

Marion Ali

“Why did you decide to come out now and tell the truth?”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“It’s just that these things need to stop. It’s about time it stops.”

Marion Ali

“When you say these things, what you mean?”

Via Phone: Eyewitness

“All the killing without no trace and all the craziness that’s happening.”

The eyewitnesses’ statement has been forwarded to the DPP for perusal.  It names the persons present at the scene of the murder, including the workmen, a policeman and Galvez’ friend, Andre Aguilar.  The witness says that he met with the Minister of National Security, Carlos Perdomo, after the incident and admitted that he did not speak the truth when he claimed it was a Honduran who shot Galvez. The eyewitness maintains that he is now telling the truth.