Arrests made in connection with 3 murders in Old Capital
Ernest Thurton
While the cops have two new homicides and a shooting on their hands, progress has been made in three previous murders. Two persons have been charged for the October twenty-fifth double murder of Frank James and Robert Young who were gunned down on North Front Street. Also, one person was charged for the murder of William Felix who was fatally shot on November twenty-fifth and another person was charged for the murder of Raheem Requeña, who was fatally shot on December nineteenth. Superintendent Alden Dawson, the officer in charge of the Crimes Investigation Branch provided those updates.
Supt. Alden Dawson, O.C., CIB
Jasper Brannon
“We did have some success over this weekend as it relates to some past—at least three incidents of murder that occurred earlier this year. We had the arrest of Ernest Thurton and Jasper Brannon. Those two were charged for the double murder that occurred on North Front Street sometime in October; on the twenty-fifth of October. Also, we had the recent reported murder of Raheem Requeña. For that we have charged Cassian Bennett and we’re looking for a second person in connection to that murder for charges. Then we had the murder of William Felix that occurred on the twenty-fifth of November. We have charged Abraham Smith for that murder that occurred on the twenty-fifth of November. So those are three of the murders that we solved over the weekend. Again, like we always say, with the public support we will do what we need to do and get our job done with the support of the public.”
Elodio Aragon
ACP Elodio Aragon, O.C., Eastern Division
“I would just like to update you guys in regards to the investigation in San Pedro and Caye Caulker. Presently, the files have been compiled ad they will be going to the D.P.P. office for further advice in regards to those two investigations and by the end of this week we should be getting a feedback in regards to how will proceed with those two investigations. But definitely we have put in the effort in that and I’m quite sure that at the end of the day, the integrity of the department will be—we will ensure that it is up there with the standards we expect from the Police Department.”
Cassian Bennett
The CIB also provided an update on investigations into allegations that a Mayflower Street minor was inappropriately searched by a police officer. Superintendent Dawson says they are now awaiting one report from Human Development personnel who interviewed the alleged victim. But at this point, according to Dawson, there is no evidence of inappropriate behavior and once the investigation is complete charges of a Mischievous Act and false allegations are expected to be levied against the complainants.
It’s hard to believe that tiny Belize has three times as many gun related murders as England.
The fact that only 7% of the murderers that do come to trial actually go to jail surely means that something is seriously wrong with the system.
I suggest the following:
1) Take arrested depositions from witnesses BEFORE the trial so they can’t be intimidated.
2) Hang the murderers. Then maybe they might think twice.
Hand them all. Do not waste another red cent feeding and clothing theses thugs……..if found guilty.
Arrests are a necessary first step, so thanks to the police for that progress.
Let’s hope that the follow-through is by the book, so nobody escapes on a technicality. Let’s hope the witnesses are bold enough to show up to testify, and that DPP does a first-rate job, and finally that the court imposes maximum punishment.
We need all those things for our criminal justice system to work and protect us.
Hopefully the new Witness Protection plan of the government will give witnesses some confidence to come to court and testify to what they saw.
My Christmas wish is that GOB can DOUBLE its murder conviction rate in 2013, all the way up to 6%!!!
(I also wish that someone in a responsible position would ask for advice and assistance from US prosecutors, who consistently report conviction rates of around 95%. Wouldn’t that be heaven!)
Can someone tell me if this Thurton guy was acquitted for another murder in 2011 or 2012.
@Al, this Thurton was arrested for attempted murder in October, 2011, from a quick check through Channel 5 archives. No outcome of that matter was reported. Did he commit this murder while out on bail for the previous offense? If so, why?
Akeem Thurton was the co-defendant with Ricky Valencia in the shooting of Rodwell Williams.