Murder case falls apart in Court; Krismar Espinosa acquitted
Krismar Espinosa
Two murder cases fell apart in the courts today. Twenty-three year old Krismar Espinosa of Orange Walk was acquitted this afternoon of the murder of inmate, Keon Kyle Swasey, who was stabbed twice while at the Belize Central Prison. The acquittal came when Justice Troadio Gonzalez upheld a no case submission made by Espinosa’s attorney, Rachel Montejo, and a jury of four women and eight men were directed to acquit him of the charge of murder. The acquittal boiled down to doubt on whether the accused was indeed the man who had caused Swasey’s death. In her submission, Montejo argued that in her view, the two testimonies of the crown’s two main witnesses, Prison officers, Floyd Neal, and Punciano Cowo couldn’t be viewed as one and that there was no evidence to prove that Espinosa committed the murder. Both Neal and Cowo under cross examination were unable to identify Espinosa as the man who killed Swasey. Judge Gonzalez concluded that there was no evidence to allow case to be sent to the jury since Neal retracted what he said and that Cowo did not know the accused prior to the stabbing nor was an Identification parade held for Cowo to identify Espinosa. In conclusion, Judge Gonzalez said, “This kind of evidence is not the kind of quality that I can use my discretion and lead to the jury, as this adds up to no evidence against the accused,” Both Swasey and Espinosa was on remand when he was stabbed and killed. The murder trial of Espinosa began on, November twenty-sixth; a total of ten witnesses were called to the stand. While Espinosa was acquitted of murder, he was not set free today because he has another charge pending trial in the Orange Walk Supreme Court for the murder of a woman.
If the people can’t obtain justice in courts like this, they need to obtain it outside court. Vigilantes have cleaned up crime-ridden societies before, sometimes they are the only effective tool.
Who failed us here? Why does a prison officer “retract” his testimony? He should be fired — was he paid off? If an identification parade was required, why did it not take place? Why doesn’t DPP oversee these cases BEFORE they fall apart in court?
3% conviction rate for murder is a sin in itself. When the Jewel’s best are unable to convict for a murder that takes place in prison, with prison guards as witnesses, it is beyond time for Hon. John Saldivar to do the honorable thing and resign, and let a competent, energetic leader replace him. Providing security is the most important obligation of a government, and if it cannot or will not fulfill it, then it should go.
I smell fear on the part of these two officers. Keep this man’s name on your tongue because he will kill again or he will be killed. This happened in prison did it happen on a blind day when nobody could see. If I see you harm someone I don’t have to know your name to point you out, it just does not make sense. I hope these two officers are not working at the prison, they are useless.
I gues the witness was threatened as is in the case in mnay of these trials.I guess in Belize te only way justice can be achieved is outside the courts!
I think its high time we overhaul the government and the justice system. They are useless.
How many persons have been acquitted for Murder this year??I can’t even keep account anymore
Killed in jail and acquitted … Killers are the way to go , I guess .. We don’t convict we acquit and convict for lesser charge like smoking weed etc… What a life..
All these murderers are working for barrow he still has them on his payroll and he is giving the orders on who to execute so this is why none of them ill ever be prosecuted just like all the drug dealers that got off they are all on judas barrow payroll so watch unu self .
Hang all murderers. He still has one more trial to go, hopefully DPP can win there, and then the man should swing. If not, who will he kill next?