Witness fails to show up and Attempted Murder charge fails also
Mark Humes
Turning to the courts, another case fell apart today due to an absent witness. On February eighth, 2009 eighteen year old Jermaine Elijio was stabbed when he refused to buy his attacker a cigarette. The knife missed his heart by a mere two inches and while he lived to tell the tale, Elijio chose not to tell it in court today. His absence came as a shock to the Prosecutor, Keisha Williams, because she said that only last week the complainant indicated that he would testify, but attempts to locate him this morning were futile. And since there was no other evidence, thirty-one year old Mark Humes was freed of an Attempted Murder charge. The stabbing incident occurred at the corner of Poinsetta and Casaurina Streets in the St. Martin de Porres area. Elijio was with his brother in front of Ricky’s Store, when Humes allegedly approached and asked for a cigarette. When Elijio refused to buy it, he was stabbed once on his left side.
Outrageous! In the U.S. they subpoena unwilling witnesses. Then if they don’t show they might face serious charges. Belizeans must rescue themselves from criminals imposing fear of retribution on honest citizens.
Mr. Humes looks like such a warm, fuzzy, cuddly beast. When are we going to give witnesses protection against these thugs? I have no doubt Mr. Elijio was intimidated & another would be murderer sent back to the streets to either kill someone or be killed. We can only hope the BPD mercenaries have their cross hairs on this prize.
If the police dept would be doing their job right they wouldn’t need witnesses plane and simple people are afraid because of the incompetence to protect the witness’s .
Banana republic
Other countries have ways to bring reluctant witnesses to court without dismissing serious cases. The DPP or Attorney General or someone in government needs to learn how they do it, and copy their laws. A prosecution is to protect the state, not one victim, and it is stupid to let the victim control whether a case goes forward.
Let’s fix this problem!
Witness protection needed and the law should be changed to ensure that witnesses do not change their stories or they be charged for perjury. If we contnue, those thugs will be ruling. In fact I do belive they are!
Protecting the witness is only part of it. How long could authorities protect this witness? Even if the bad guy had been convicted he’d likely be back on the streets in less than 5 years. “Old beef” never dies. Or worse, a friend or family of the bad guy would harm the witness for “chancing” the bad guy by sending him to jail in the first place.
Better yet when will we change the laws so that a recorded and witnessed statement or video be allowed in court? This way people do not have to be in court when these murders are being tried. This way even if they kill the witness or he dies before the trial there will still be evidence to convict these ……… The know that killing the witness will guarantee them freedom.
Where are the legislators. When were belizean laws last reviewed and necessary changes made; ah…let me guess…never?
The Court need to rely on initial investigation and police testimony based on interviews of the victims. Everyone know everyone and everyone gossip. I know third party testimony is heresay, but this the only way to convict these guys sometimes. There should be no visitation for suspects, of Family and Friends for certain crimes. Isolate them so they can no longer intimidate the witnesses. Isolate them from the other prisoners as well.
humes will walk free for a few days and soon we’ll read him as a victim number 50 add, this is the way the court runs these cases now, instead of convicting, they set them free for the revenge on the street with execution style, this is the reality belize city life is running now, until.
HIP HIP HOORAY!!! Glad case was dropped! To all of u sitting at your computers just believing all that you hear..thats not how the story actually goes and thats the CASE wih most cases.So nobody cares What u think because you dont have the story right.. GIVE THANKS
I totally agree with CEO allow witness statements and videos as evidence even ir the witness is dead you can still get a conviction
Fire fi all di criminal who get away, an fire fi all wrongfull convictions. That is all a’m say’in.
Find a way that the withness don’t need to show their face to the criminals. No one is willing to risk their life or the life of their family for other. By testifying in court they are signing their death certificate. these guys arent going to Jail forever and if so they have friend who will go after the withness n if they cant get the peron they will get to their family. Bend the stupid laws for the benefit of the rest of society