New manslaughter trial ordered for businessman

A retrial has been ordered in the case of well known Belize City businessman Eduardo “Mando” Reyes. Reyes, the owner of Prime Cut Meats on Central American Boulevard, was convicted in March in connection with the death of Norman “Butta” Ferguson. A jury unanimously found him guilty of manslaughter after he shot Ferguson in January of 2005 and he was subsequently sentenced to seven years in jail. But today, his attorney Sandra Garoy, convinced the Court of Appeal that just because Reyes gave inconsistent statements during his trial does not mean he is guilty of the crime. According to court reports, the defendant is maintaining that he shot Reyes in self defence during a struggle that began when Ferguson tried to take money from his pocket. Reyes has been granted bail in the amount of six thousand dollars and one surety of the same amount. No date has yet been set for his retrial.