The triple murder trial of Christian Espat, 31, and Michael Brown, 25, has been postponed until January 2027 following the prosecution’s disclosure of additional evidence. Both men remain on remand at the Kolbe Foundation–Belize Central Prison, awaiting trial in connection with the October 2023 shooting deaths of Carlos Chi, Delmar Rodriguez and Rodriguez’s three-year-old daughter, Amarie, in San Pedro Town.
Espat and Brown appeared at the High Court in Belize City on October 20th, where the prosecution presented additional digital evidence provided by a witness. According to the court report, the material includes cell phone records, forensic reports, and images that the Crown considers relevant to the case.
Espat was represented by attorneys Richard “Dickie” Bradley and Leeroy Banner, while Dr. Lynden Jones represented Brown. The defense attorneys objected to the late disclosure and requested more time to review the additional material.
Jones said he learned of the additional evidence on October 16th and raised concerns about what he described as discrepancies in the number of photographs provided. He also noted that files reportedly obtained in 2023 carried modification dates from October 2026.
Justice Pilgrim acknowledged the late disclosure but allowed the prosecution to submit the material. He emphasized the importance of considering relevant forensic and digital evidence in determining the case.
The judge scheduled another case management conference for December 3, 2026, and set the trial for January 19–29, 2027. Pilgrim stated that there would be no further postponements and that the trial would proceed on those dates.
The October 22, 2023 shooting in the San Pedrito area also left several other people injured. Espat and Brown were subsequently charged with three counts each of murder, attempted murder, and use of deadly means of harm.
Both men have maintained their innocence. Espat has stated that he was out of the country when the shooting occurred and provided photographs of his passport, which he said showed that he had traveled to Mexico at the time. Brown has also stated that he was not on the island when the killings occurred.
Defense attorneys have sought bail for the accused, but both men remain on remand at the Belize Central Prison pending trial.