Monday, March 18, 2024

Crime & Violence

Anke Doehm starts Cruelty to a Child trial in Belize City

The trial for the criminal case against Anke Doehm for the death of her adopted daughter Faye Lin Cannon started on Wednesday, February 21st, at the High Court in Belize City. Doehm faces a charge of Cruelty to a Child after Cannon was found dead in her bedroom on July 3, 2017, in their apartment north of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye.

Over 900 illegal firearms destroyed by law enforcement officers

A record number of firearms were destroyed on Friday, January 19th, at the Police Training Academy in Belmopan City. The 900-plus illegal weapons were seized from across the country throughout the past years. The Firearm Destruction Initiative is a collaborative project between Belize's law enforcement agents, the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS), the Mine Advisory Group (MAG), and the British High Commission.

Islander David Gonzalez sentenced to life in prison for wife’s murder

San Pedro resident David Gonzalez remains at the Kolbe Foundation-Belize Central Prison, where he is starting a life sentence for the murder of his wife, Marisela Gonzalez. Gonzalez was convicted of the crime in November 2023 and will be eligible for parole after serving 35 years in prison.

Police looking for culprits for daylight robbery in downtown San Pedro

The San Pedro Police continue to investigate the broad daylight robbery on Pescador Drive on Tuesday, January 16th. Two employees of Caribeña Enterprise and Coral Cable Vision were on their way to deposit at the bank when they were intercepted and robbed by two men on a motorcycle. No one has been detained, but the motorcycle they escaped on was found.

Tracey Betancourt found not guilty of Lamont Lipka’s murder

Former island resident Tracey Betancourt, 26, was found not guilty, in her absence, of Lamont Lipka’s 2018 murder during a hearing at the High Court in Belize City on Thursday, December 21st. Betancourt, who remains at large, had been jointly charged with Leon Walford, 38, for the murder of Lipka, an American national businessman in San Pedro Town. In July 2022, her verdict for murder was to be handed down; Betancourt was out on bail, absconded from the court hearing, and since then has been on the run. While she was not found guilty, the High Court noted that Betancourt could still face the escape charge because she voluntarily decided to abscond.

Police still looking for one suspect following Caye Caulker stabbing

Роlісе continue to look for one male person following а stabbing incident оn thе іѕlаnd оf Сауе Саulkеr оn Ѕundау, December 10th. Police identified the victim as Evan Haynes, 28, a construction worker, who was transported to Belize City’s Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), where he remains in a stable condition.

Delson and Tionne Paguada brothers sentenced for Paul Jex murder

On Wednesday, December 20th, Delson and Tionne Paguada were convicted at the High Court in Belize City for the 2018 murder of Jimell Paul Jex in San Pedro Town. Delson was sentenced to 24 years, and his younger brother Tionne to 21 years.

Four arraigned in San Pedro for Irvin Martinez’ murder

On Monday, December 18th, David Gill Lambey, 18, was arraigned at the San Pedro Magistrate Court for the Murder of islander Irvin Enderson Martinez. Martinez, a 28-year-old bartender, was fatally stabbed on Friday, December 15th, after an altercation with Lambey and three other individuals. The other three persons, 22-year-old Zephania Mariano, Zechariah Mariano, and 19-year-old Keyron Lambey, were also arraigned for the charge of Aggravated Assault. They were all remanded to the Kolbe Foundation- Belize Central Prison until their next court date on February 28, 2024.

Police Minister meets with murder victim’s family from San Pedro’s triple murder

The Honourable Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs and in charge of the Belize Police Department, met with the family of the murder victims, Delmar Rodriguez, his baby daughter Amarie, and Carlos Chi. Musa said that although he cannot reveal what they discussed, his ministry provides all the support they can to affected families.

Juan Carlos Novel charged for the Caye Caulker homicide of Leslie Verde

On Saturday, November 4th, there was news from La Isla Cariñosa of Caye Caulker about the discovery of a woman found dead in her home. The deceased was identified as 32-year-old Leslie Verde. The body was bruised, and police have since launched an investigation into the cause of Verde's death. While investigations continue, no one has been detained.

Murder victims’ families call out police; want to speak with Police Minister

The mass shooting in San Pedrito, which left three dead, Delmar Rodriguez, 25, his baby daughter Amari Rodriguez, and friend Carlos Chi, continues to shock the community. The violent attack in the early hours of October 23rd also injured four other persons. Even though police have arrested and charged two suspects, Christian Espat and Michal Brown, the families of the fatal victims say police ignored their reports of threats. A week following the deadly shooting, they issued a statement talking about the heinous crime that has torn them apart.