Appeals Court Judge to decide fate of 22 year old

Arturo Ek

The fate of twenty-two year old Arturo Ek, who was found guilty of murder in November 2007, remains in the hands of a panel of three Court of Appeal judges. Ek’s application follows a conviction and a subsequent life sentence which was handed down by Justice Michelle Arana in July of last year.  The Corozal resident was imprisoned for the brutal slaying of Eugenio Tzul on November seventeenth, 2007.  In court today, Senior Counsel Simeon Sampson made submissions on behalf of Ek, arguing that given the validity of his client’s caution statement the matter should have been withdrawn from the jurors because the learning trial judge erred in law.  Sampson contended that Justice Arana failed to direct the jury properly with regards to the weapon used in the commission of the crime.  Sampson maintains that a length of wire found around the neck of the deceased is insufficient evidence to link Ek to Tzul’s murder.  Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl-Lynn Vidal also made submissions on behalf of the Crown opposing Sampson’s views on the issue of a description of the weapon used.  The incident occurred when Tzul and another man were both socializing at a bar in San Joaquin Village, when Tzul allegedly made a sexual pass at Ek.  Ek, who took offense by the innuendo, along with several other men proceeded to beat Tzul before strangling him with a piece of wire.