Crime
Espat family wants justice for the murder of Jerry Espat; Gabriel Villafranco Charged for Murder
The Espat family is asking for justice after one of their own was gunned down while fishing out at sea on Saturday, October 2nd, at Cangrejo Caye, south of Ambergris Caye.
Crime
Three injured and one missing in San Pedro morning shooting outÂ
Three of four fishermen were treated at the emergency ward of the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II with apparent gunshot wounds, after they were allegedly attacked out at sea. The fourth person continues missing out at sea and is feared dead.
Crime
Off-duty BDF soldier shot dead by joint police patrol; government condemns the incident
Belize Defense soldier 29 year-old Jessie Escobar, was shot and killed in front of his family in Santa Familia Village, Cayo District. The gunman is Police Constable Juan Carlos Morales who is attached to a joint police patrol. A surveillance video reveals that there was no aggression by the deceased and the Commissioner of Police described the use of force unjustifiable.
Crime
Rape suspect of 12-year-old girl now in custody, yet to be charged
A police report states that on Saturday, August 21st, a 12-year-old minor was raped when she exited her house to use the outside latrine. A 20-year-old male, identified as Alejandro Choc, is now in custody. He is expected to be charged today (August 24th) or tomorrow, and arraigned on Thursday, August 26th at the San Pedro Magistrate Court.
Crime
Jasmine Hartin’s trial dates adjourned to October 5th
Jasmine Hartin was scheduled to return tomorrow for her Manslaughter by Negligence charge over the shooting death of Police Superintendent Henry Jemmott.
Crime
Jasmine Hartin out on bail, again
32-year-old Jasmine Hartin, the partner of Andrew Ashcroft, is no longer under lock and key at the Kolbe Foundation-Belize Central Prison after securing bail for a second time. According to reports, an acquaintance from Caye Caulker came forward and posted bail using land documents as surety.
Crime
Jasmine Hartin granted $30,000 Supreme Court bail
After hours of legal arguments heard at the Supreme Court in Belize City, Jasmine Hartin’s defense attorney secured bail for the Canadian national charged for Manslaughter by Negligence in the shooting death of police superintendent Henry Jemmott. Justice Herbert Lord granted bail for BZ$30,000 and one surety of the same amount.
Crime
Parallel shooting deaths of senior police officers; different charges levied
Over the past three years, two police officers have allegedly been accidentally killed with their own service pistols in San Pedro Town. Both were fatally shot after midnight while socializing. One incident took place in January 2019 involving Corporal Alfonso Guy, and recently Police Superintendent Henry Jemmott was shot dead with his service weapon. While both incidents seem to be parallel, the repercussions for the accused have been different, with one remanded for murder while the other shooter was charged with the lesser crime; Manslaughter by Negligence.
