P.U.P. expresses dissatisfaction with King’s case

Whylie promised an investigation and swift action…and he has delivered. Tonight, police officer Nelson Ramos is on interdiction and is facing disciplinary action by a tribunal of his peers. The matter has been adjourned until Wednesday, June twenty sixth and northern regional commander, Senior Superintendent Joseph Myvette has been assigned to adjudicate the case. The Peoples United Party has also expressed their dissatisfaction with King’s case in a press release sent this afternoon. Legal counsel for the P.U.P., Anthony Sylvester said the botched case makes the justice system appear to be ‘sleck’.

Anthony Sylvester, Legal Counsel, P.U.P.

Anthony Sylvester

“The charges against the honorable Mark King were dismissed. People basically are shocked and have been left with another sour taste in their mouth with regard to matters with respect to the administration of justice and the criminal justice system. Some months back I recall that following a verdict in Belize City, a young lady had characterized our criminal justice system as one that is sleck and indeed the outcome of the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of the charges would leave the general public and ordinary Belizeans to have such a view. Here it is you have two police officers sworn to uphold the law…one, in one instance flatly refused to give testimony and the other one; suggesting that he is unable to identify Mark King, who is a well-known individual, who is not only a member of the House of Representative—is a Minister Government. And given his portfolio as Minister responsible for Gang, he certainly would have interaction and dealings with the police department. So you know it does cause for concern because as all of us are quite aware of; we are living in a time where the state of law and order has deteriorated. As it is, we have a minister of government who is involved and so the microscope on this case certainly would have been more focused. And the general public certainly having regard to all of that and that backdrop must feel peeved and upset. And the People’s United Party in its press release has called on the relevant bodies and in particular the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution to take the necessary steps and to ensure and correct that the shame, the stain, which certainly would have been caused by the circumstances that led to the dismissal of the charges against Mark King on Tuesday.”