Witnesses refuse to testify in attempted murder trial; accused acquitted
Brandon Taylor
While the jury is still out on where the dispute in the citrus belt will end up, an attempted murder case ended today in the Supreme Court. The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ turned to the public to locate two witnesses with the hopes of salvaging the case against twenty-two year old Brandon Taylor. After the news item was aired in last night’s newscast, the witnesses, Carl Bradley and Ernie Gill, were located and served with subpoenas today. But it does not mean that a conviction was secured because Bradley and Gill refused to testify out of fear and, as you’ve probably figured out by now, the case ended with an acquittal. The charges against Taylor came about after a shooting on April fourth, 2008 in the infamous Rocky Road area where a gunman opened fire on a crowd. Bradley was shot in the left arm, while Gill escaped injury but his vehicle was damaged. The prosecution had a third witness in mind, Alexander Lopez, who saw the incident unfold, but he too chose not to take the stand out of fear. The prosecution then had no choice but to withdraw the two counts of Attempted Murder. But beating that charge doesn’t make Taylor a free man because he remains imprisoned awaiting trial for the murder of Glenford Williams, a security guard who was shot in a robbery attempt at Western Union. Taylor is also charged with Wounding, Use of Deadly Means of Harm and Dangerous Harm for that incident, which occurred on May second, 2009.
Witnesses who refuse to testify must be prosecuted.
If th epast has any bearing on the future, someone will kill this killer, in prison or out on the street. The witnesses are not safe even now, I am sure this Taylor scum bag has friends on the street who will ultimately harm these two coward witnesses.
Carlton, in a normal society that would be the case, but when there is no police protection nor witness programs its hard to do this.
Now I am not saying murderers should go free because witness do not want to testify because of fear for their and their families life but something needs to be done so people can feel safe to testify. The criminals are winning more people are dying, its not an easy fix in a small country where everybody knows everybody. Belize city is over populated people need to think about relocating elsewhere. Belize has too much land for people just to stay in the city like sardines, forigners are taking advantage of this.
THE UDP LEADERS WILL HELP THEM TO GET OUT THE COUNTRY. THEN BRING THEM BACK AND GIVE THEM GOVERNMENT VEHICLE TO DRIVE WITH FREE GAS. AFTER CREATING A JOB FOR THEM.
i fell really sorry for people that are so sacred they would rather not talk. i understand that they have no protection, but how long can someone be living in fear. i have always been a person that feels that no matter what, if i see something i am willing to talk. i guess i’m a person that doesn’t fear death as it comes to us all.
This is an indication of the many flaws of the judicial system. Basically, the system has not been revamped to reflect the current societal changes. It is clear that the criminal activity controls the direction of the judicial system. It also illustrates how the law abiding citizens are at a disadvantage since they have no mode of recourse. However this is common practice in corrupt government structures. Essentially the police (given their educational and social economic status) are usually part of the criminal activity since this affords them status in their communities and allows for extra financial compensation. It makes sense when you consider that these people are on a day to day survival mode (like we say pay check to pay check situation).
For now, its the poor, uneducated black who is killing the poor, uneducated black. No one listens… Poor uneducated black kills middle class educated black… Maybe someone will listen
Peace
The Prime Minister needs to make amendment’s to the Law to fit the present situation.If their is enough evidence to convict these clungs then why request for a witness to testify when their is no law in place to protect them.Wake up Prime Minister.
does the country provide for witness protection? even if it did witnesses especialy Belizeans would not testify because we are all first hand observers of the consequences of living in a violent and cruel society where if there is an attempt to help someone or fix something the person quickly finds himself or herself the victim of crime.