Ex-cop?s sentence upheld in Court of Appeal

A guilty verdict handed down to a former Caye Caulker police officer has been upheld in the Court of Appeal. According to court reports, this morning Linsbert Willis appeared on behalf of Sheldon Arzu to argue that his client was unfairly convicted because the trial judge failed to properly instruct the jury before deliberations. Willis submitted: “…the law provides that the appellant can use force. The facts show the appellant was approached by a man with a machete.” Willis would go on to claim that his client acted in self defence. Arzu was arrested following the June 2003 death of Ruben “Pony” Alarcon at the Caye Caulker Police Station. During trial, prosecutors rejected Arzu’s claim of self defence, pointing out that the police officer had shot Alarcon in the forehead and then the back. Arzu was initially charged with manslaughter, then murder but he was later convicted by a jury of his peers of manslaughter and sentenced to thirteen years behind bars. After reviewing the evidence before the court, Justice Sosa said: “We have listened carefully to the submissions that passed and read the conclusion that there is no merit in any of the grounds, we must dismiss your appeal. The conviction and sentence is affirmed.” The Justices’ reasons will be given in writing at a later date.