Late this evening, twenty-two-year-old Cassius Myers, an electrician, was escorted to the Belize City Magistrate’s Court where he was arraigned on three criminal offenses, including attempted murder, dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm. Myers is accused of stabbing twenty-six-year-old Maleek Pitts on Sunday, in the vicinity of CET Site in the Lake […]
A daring escape from the High Court earlier today has stunned many in the judiciary, exposing the vulnerabilities of the existing justice system. This morning, three persons were taken over to the Courtroom Number Three, including accused murderer Hildebrandt Codd and Jesse Mejia. Inside the adjoining jury room, the men were relieved of their handcuffs […]
For months, prosecutors and other officers of the court have been complaining of a severe lack of adequate security at the courts. What took place this morning, shines a spotlight on an issue that has been raised before, one that previously resulted in a sickout by Crown Counsels attached to the Office of the Director […]
On Monday, the Government of Belize issued a statement responding to irresponsible misinformation being carried in other areas of the media regarding a purported sick-out by crown counsels. This was in light of reports that several persons were absent from work on November twenty-seventh. According to the Attorney General’s Office, only three officers are presently […]
If Opposition Leader, Moses “Shyne” Barrow is found guilty of an electoral offence, he will be forced to resign from the House of Representatives. That is what his attorney Richard Bradley says Section Fifty-eight of the Belize Constitution states. That particular section disqualifies anyone from membership in parliament if convicted of an offense related to […]
Forty-one-year-old Camilah Montes was physically assaulted during a domestic dispute in the early hours of this morning. According to police, Montes was struck in the face with a piece of wood, causing a large cut wound to her forehead. ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division “On Tuesday, November 21st, 2023, police responded to […]
Last week, we reported that the road service permits that the Belize Transport Board had issued to Floralia over the past two years for runs to Punta Gorda and Independence were quashed in the High Court. The court passed a decision that favoured the proprietors of Griga Line and James Bus Line. The two bus […]
Belize does not have a witness protection program. That is what Police Commissioner Chester Williams reiterated to News Five when we spoke with him earlier today. One of the many hindrances that public prosecutors and investigators have is the fear that critical witnesses have to testify in cases, especially criminal cases. They fear they might […]
In October, the infamous Meighan brothers, Tyrone, Ellis, and Shaquille, were acquitted of being members of a gang. They were arraigned in February for being members of the Ghost Town Crips. But, during the trial, the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence that established the siblings as members of a gang. The court found that […]
The road service permits issued to Floralia in 2021 and 2022 for runs to Punta Gorda and Independence have been quashed. Earlier today, the High Court rendered a decision in favor of the proprietors of Griga Line and James Bus, in a claim brought against the Ministry of Transport, including the minister, his C.E.O., the […]
According to Senior Counsel Barrow, Floralia was given preferential treatment by the Ministry of Transport when it was awarded the road service permits for the respective runs to PG and Independence. With the licenses being cancelled, new applications will have to be submitted by bus companies that are interested in taking up the runs. Barrow […]
An amendment to the piece of law that governs the issuance of firearms license is expected to be signed by Governor General Froyla Tzalam, effectively assigning that authority to a three-member board to be constituted by the Minister of Home Affairs. Prior to the signing of the revision, the Commissioner of Police exercised the power […]
Police have laid charges against a man in connection with a murder that occurred in April 2022, more than eighteen months ago. You might recall when Jose Cedillos was shot multiple times on Good Friday, 2022 in Guinea Grass Village, Orange Walk. Reports are that Cedillos had threatened to assault a relative for monies that […]
In early August, news broke that a Belizean worship leader was being accused by a few young women of indecent sexual assault. The number of accusations has grown to several since then. The National Evangelical Association of Belize, NEAB, issued a press release two days later, expressing shock at the news, but commending and offering […]
Budram was taken into custody over the weekend and his attorney, Arthur Saldivar, says that while he thought Budram was kept in custody for longer than was necessary, the authorities treated him fairly and accommodated him when he needed to take care of other matters while in detention. Saldivar says that given the sensitive nature […]
Two men who were on trial for murder were found guilty of the crime today, despite the fact that one of the Crown’s main witnesses strangely disappeared just after he had given testimony in the trial. His body was later discovered in a shallow grave in Belize District. The trial of Eric Miranda and Jeffery […]
On Wednesday, High Court Judge Genevieve Chabot granted leave for Deputy Commissioner of Police Bart Jones to seek judicial review of a decision taken by the Security Services Commission to approve the promotion of Doctor Richard Rosado to Deputy Commissioner of Police. That decision was handed down in a twenty-two page document pertaining to a […]
We also asked attorney Lindo if the decision to promote Doctor Rosado retroactively would have any bearing on the appointment of a new Commissioner of Police when that time comes. Here’s how he responded. Isani Cayetano “Is that decision affected by the appointment of a new Commissioner of Police somewhere down the road to […]
Earlier today, the High Court of Justice Genevieve Chabot handed down a decision in respect of a matter filed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Bart Jones against the Security Services Commission. DCP Jones applied for permission to seek judicial review of a decision taken by the Security Services Commission to promote Doctor Richard Rosado to […]
Today in the High Court, Justice Farnese ruled in favor of a mother and daughter who brought a constitutional claim, following a charge of attempted murder that was initially leveled on the pair. Ormencia Pou and her mother, Irene Budd, filed the claim after their brother was deemed unfit to stand trial due to his […]
Earlier this week, the High Court handed down a decision in which it dismissed a claim brought against the proprietors of Gwen’s Kitchen here on Coney Drive. As we’ve reported, several lawsuits were filed by Ethel Thompson, a resident and business owner, against Tiffany Cadle and three other food vendors who operate from stalls erected […]
We also spoke with Tiffany Cadle, who told us that she is satisfied with the ruling of the High Court. She says they have been fighting the cases brought against them by the businesswoman for the past few years. This matter was the third claim brought against Gwen’s Kitchen since it was established. Tiffany […]
On Thursday morning, Elmer Nah, along with his common-law wife Epifania Caliz, and her brother Manuel Caliz were found not guilty of possession of a cache of firearms, ammunition and bulletproof vests. Senior Magistrate Baja Shoman found them not guilty of the charges after evidence from both the prosecution and the defense were presented. Nah […]
A special prosecutor, in the person of Terrence Williams from Jamaica, is being retained by the Government of Belize for the murder trial of Elmer Nah, who is accused of the triple murders of Jon, David and Vivian Ramnarace in Belmopan on New Year’s Eve 2022. Today, News Five caught up with Minister of Home […]
But how much will securing this special prosecutor cost the Belizean taxpayers? Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa says fifteen thousand U.S. dollars, as a retainer, and then some. Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs “Initially I am aware that it is fifteen thousand U.S.; I don’t know what the final bill will be […]
