Deranged defendant causes ruction in court

There was ruction this afternoon in Belize City Magistrate’s Court as a man charged with immigration violations went freaky during his trial. Thirty-nine year old U.S. citizen Donald Pletts had no means of financially sustaining himself and was charged with being a prohibited immigrant. His behaviour has been erratic and he was cuffed with both hands behind his back. He explained to Magistrate Margaret McKenzie that he did not want to go back to the States. Claiming to be a man of God, Pletts fell to his knees and begged the Magistrate to let him stay in Belize. At that point Immigration Officer Nicolai Zelaya stood and told the court: “I spoke to his parents in Rhode Island and they say that he is mentally ill.” Pletts took issue with this diagnosis and ran toward Zelaya, unleashing a flying kick that found its mark on Zelaya’s upper leg. It took six police officers to subdue the enraged defendant who was led away insisting that he was not crazy. In the end, Magistrate McKenzie signed the order sending Pletts back to the U.S.A.