Witness to murder absent from trial
Timroy NEal
Earlier this week, murder charges against five men were dropped because the case file was not provided by the office of the D.P.P. The murder trial of Timroy Neal began earlier this week but also fell apart today when the court was informed of an all too familiar reason—that the main witness cannot be found. Neal has been on remand for almost four years and the D.P.P. entered a nolle prosequi in his case. Prosecutor from the D.P.P.’s office, Yohhanseh Cave, however, told the court that the prosecution was preparing to re-indict Neal for the same murder, but for trial in the Belmopan Supreme Court.
Justice Troadio Gonzalez was not amused and told the prosecutor that the court cannot allow any accused to be lingering behind bars because the D.P.P.’s office cannot locate witnesses. Despite his reluctance to grant the motion, Gonzalez said he is prepared to strike out the matter at its next adjournment. The jury of six men and six women were discharged at about eleven this morning.
On June twenty-eighth, Neal will appear in the Belmopan Supreme for the December twenty-first, 2006 murder. Neal, a minor at the time was charged with the murder of another minor, Elriquez Orellano of Hattieville. Orellano had been fatally stabbed on the chest on the night in question during a misunderstanding.
Another murder case falls apart. Another case of poor police investigation. Another murderer free to roam the city streets. Another murder to be reported in the news very soon. Another case of poor police work or corruption in the DPP’s office? Another case of the witness being threatened and no system in place to protect him or her? Another case of failure by our judicial system? I challenge the new minister of National Security to investigate just why all this is happening so often. Let him prove that he took on the job to do good and not just as a reward for his political work.
totally agree!!!!!!!! another case that is gone to the drain another police failure. When will our officials take things seriously. yes and another murderer out of the road walking a free man in streets. when will our police officers take their work more seroiusly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Belizeans its time to take a stand and face reality!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE SAD part of this harsh reality is that we never elected the new minister of national security. his goverment pals did, so we don’t have the 100% right to bench him if he can’t do the job. it’s been a inside decision within the gov. to elect him. now if he fails to do his job even if we cry blood they’ll keep him in the place like perdomo till their political term is finish. I WOULD SUJEST THAT WE GET TOGETHER AND ASK THE GOV. THAT WE SHOULD ELECT OUR OWN MINISTER OF SECURITY, SO IF HE FAILS THEN WE CAN SEND HIM WHERE THE SUN DOESN’T SHINE. This is the only way we can get what we want, which is actions against crime.
Whatever happened to a speedy trial?, Was the eyewitness murdered or intimidated into silence & making himself invisible? Maybe the next time he kills we’ll convict him.