Twenty-one-year-old Julio Paiz has been serving time for the murder of Hilberto Caliz, a resident of San Pedrito, which occurred in 2021. After being convicted, he received a fixed sentence of 30 years on December 18th from Justice Nigel Pilgrim.
During the hearing at the High Court in Belize City, Pilgrim stated that the sentence should take effect from December 16, 2021, the day Paiz was remanded to the Belize Central Prison for the murder. The sentencing was based on Pilgrim’s assertion that it was a heinous crime—a premeditated public execution—committed in the presence of Caliz’s common-law wife. According to the court proceedings, Paiz will be eligible for parole after serving half his sentence.
Photo Courtesy Love FM
Caliz, who was a carpenter and a passionate footballer, was gunned down in the San Pedrito area on the night of December 11, 2021. Although Caliz and Paiz knew each other, they had a dispute over a bicycle. Witnesses reported that Paiz had stolen a bike belonging to Caliz, which led Caliz to confront him about the theft. This confrontation resulted in threats to Caliz’s life. Caliz and his common-law wife were advised to file a police report, but they did not anticipate that the situation would escalate to such a serious level.
On the night of the shooting, several gunshots were heard, and witnesses saw Caliz running away from Paiz. He fell on the side of the street, and those who witnessed the shocking incident reported that the shooter continued to fire at him. Caliz was pronounced dead at the scene due to multiple gunshot wounds.
Paiz attempted to flee the area and leave the island but was quickly apprehended by the police. Caliz’s family expressed gratitude for the judicial process, believing justice had been served. They emphasized that what happened to their relative was unfair, describing him as a humble and hardworking individual.
