At the end of today’s session, Justice Tawanda Hondora pointed out that the court case might not solve all the issues at hand. He urged both sides to consider other ways to address some of the problems, possibly through mediation between Barrow and Panton. Attorney Knox shared his interpretation of Justice Hondora’s suggestions.
Peter Knox, Attorney-at-law
“There are a lot of issues. He might say the convention might have been a valid convention. It was not necessarily invalid just because the chairman did not show up. It was not invalid because the SG did not sent the relevant documents. He will still have to verify if the relevant verification process was undertaken, as matter of fact, we say it was, they say it was not. We will still have to decide whether the delegates that showed up were real delegates or not. I would rather suggest there is some questions marks about that. Those are some of the main issues that would have to be covered. Questions of fact, rather than questions of principle.”
After today’s hearing, we spoke with the Leader of the Opposition, Tracy Taegar-Panton. She believes this whole situation is just an academic exercise since party members are supporting her leadership. When asked about the possibility of mediation to resolve other disputes, Panton mentioned that they had tried mediation before, but it didn’t work.
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition
“I think that this is an academic exercise. The people of this country have spoken. The delegates of the U.D.P. have spoken and I am the leader of the United Democratic Party, unanimously supported by all members on the opposition side who get to make that determination.”
Paul Lopez
“Is it your view that mediation outside of this hearing would be in futility because of all that is taking place?”
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“We certainly tried, bent backward for mediation to happen. There is no need to waste the time of the court when the will of the delegate should not be thwarted by a technicality. Every attempt, every single attempt to seek mediation and even before coming to court today to say let’s withdraw this matter and settle it within has been denied by the claimants. So, we are here because they have dragged us here. This does not help the party move forward. We have to move forward. We have to accept the delegates, we have to accept the will of the electorate.”
Tracy Taegar-Panton has the support of U.D.P. Deputy Leader Hugo Patt, which bolsters her claim to leadership. When Barrow resigned two weeks ago, he handed over the reins to Patt. Barrow was surprised to find out that Patt then passed the leadership to Panton. He believed a different course of action would be taken upon his resignation. Barrow argues that Patt didn’t have the authority to endorse Panton as leader after taking on the responsibility.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Former U.D.P. Leader
“One of the reasons I didn’t want to hand over to Hugo was because I was afraid that the process would not be seen through and we would end up back at square one. Once the party chairman as the ultimate authority in the party, barring the NPC and National Convention, disagreed with my position, that I continue to be leader until another leader was elected, I yield to the party chairman. It was my hope, cause I spoke to the party chairman and he mentioned that he spoke to Hugo and Hugo understands that he has to maintain the interim leadership until a national convention is called. But what process was Ms. Panton saying Shyne never need to resign, we resign him October twentieth, meaning that she and her cabal are the central executive and the duly elected leaders, I reject, Alberto August reject and Sharry Medina reject, a majority of us. So nothing was solved by my resignation and that is why we have to continue with court. I was hoping Ms. Panton would have done was to say Ok, interim leader Hugo, Vice Chair, August, please call and NPC and let us sort ourselves our, who could run for party leader, who could fill the vacant seats, let us set all of this straight.”
Panton is now focused on leading the United Democratic Party forward. She mentioned that the National Party Council will meet soon to set a date for the national convention. Panton plans for the event to be an endorsement convention, as she doesn’t expect any challenges to her leadership.
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition
“It is very important for the national party council to meet, for the wider UDP family to meet so we can bring them up to speed as to where things are and also have a plan and a way forward. I am not a dictator. There is no dictator in my leadership. So, it is of paramount importance to me.”
Reporter
“How do you view the fact that in our interview just know the fact thar Mr. Patt has thrown his support behind you, Mr. Barrow is saying he did not have the authority to delegate leadership. They are still holding on to this idea that they are still the true UDP?”
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“Well who is causing the chaos? How could a former Area Rep and a former party leader and a former leader of the opposition determine what an elected official will do or say. Hugo Patt has his own prerogative to determine what is right to move this party forward. He has said that loudly and clearly and body to the public. He said that to the court by asking for his name to be removed by the claimant. We have to stop listening to the noise and I implore you as members of the media to stop yielding to the confusion being created by one individual in the U.D.P.”
But Barrow insists that Panton won’t have an uncontested leadership convention. He claims that some members of Panton’s team are planning to run against her and that there’s a petition against her. In response, Panton says Barrow’s claims are false. Here are both sides of the story.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Former U.D.P. Leader
“We don’t know what will happen, because I can tell you now, within her own alliance grouping there are people passing a resolution forward to amend the constitution so that anyone can offer themselves to be leader. So, the support she may think she may not be there. I will send it to you, but there is a petition circulating right now where in the alliance where people say we are not happy with having Tracy as our only option. It is not simple as she won her seat, so all hail the queen. That is the same dictatorship they criticized and complained about. So, these things need to be sorted out.”
Reporter
“Can you even decide at this point that the leadership won’t be contested, that you will be endorsed when there is a national convention?
Tracy Taegar-Panton
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition
“That is a completely untrue statement and he must be held accountable for continuing to cause chaos and spread lies in this party. We had a meeting on March eighteenth at the Biltmore Plaza. We came together and signed a declaration, a commitment and we signed a declaration and commitment to move this party forward under my leadership and that is exactly how it will go.”
In crime news, the violence from the weekend continued into this morning. While the Commissioner of Police was briefing reporters on recent incidents, a man was shot on Iguana Street Extension in Belize City. This shooting highlights the ongoing feud and the police efforts in the city’s hot zones. A.C.P. Hilberto Romero informed reporters at the scene that investigators have already detained several suspects in connection with the shooting, which has left Coby Ledlan hospitalized.
“A short while ago, police responded to a shooting here at Iguana Street Extension. Upon arrival they saw Cody Ledlan, with a gunshot injury. He was taken to the K.H.M.H. for treatment. Initial investigation is that he was in this area when two persons came, one fired shots towards him. He was taken to the K.H.M.H. in critical condition at this time. Initial information is that there is an internal feud with persons in this area.”
Reporter
Have you guys detained anyone as yet?
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero
“Yes, we have three persons in custody who were apprehended a short distanceaway from this area.”
Reporter
“Can you confirm if they knew each other; how many of them were gathering in the yard?”
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero
“Yes. We have information that they all know each other.”
Reporter
“Can you say in terms of the injuries sustained by victim, is it fatal?”
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero
“He’s still at the K.H.M.H. receiving treatment.”
Reporter
“And can you confirm or deny whether or not he was shot in the head?
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero
“He received gunshots to the body.”
Reporter
“Are any of the detainees minors?”
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero
“I do not know at this time. I need to check on their ages.”
Reporter
“A family member was saying just now that they were on their way to school, if I’m not mistaken, or one of them belonged at school. Can you confirm or deny that?
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero
“I will need to check that. I don’t have that information.”
Police are working to find out why thirty-four-year-old Elvis Aldana was murdered. Aldana was shot and killed on Saturday night at the corner of Electric Avenue and McKay Boulevard in Belize City. Sometime after eight p.m., he was in a yard near a mechanic shop when another man approached and shot him multiple times. Aldana was hit in the upper body and rushed to K.H.M.H., but he was pronounced dead on arrival. The shooting happened right under a police surveillance camera. The gunman reportedly fled down Electric Avenue towards the Complex Building. Back in November 2017, Aldana, who lived on Rivero Street at the time, was caught trying to smuggle 2.5 grams of marijuana in a burger to someone in the Magistrate Court cell block. He pleaded guilty and was fined $800. Today, A.C.P. Hilberto Romero updated reporters on the investigation into Aldana’s murder.
“On Saturday police visited Electric Avenue where a report came in that there was a shooting incident. Upon their arrival, police saw the lifeless body of Elvis Aldana with multiple gunshot wounds. The information received was that Aldana was in the yard, along with several persons when gunshots were heard and he received the fatal injuries. The police arrived and found Aldana in the area. An investigation is being carried out into this murder.”
Tonight, a family is crying out for justice after Santiago Garcia was tragically stabbed to death on Sunday night. The twenty-year-old truck driver from Pomona Village was with his stepfather, Jason Sharp, reportedly trying to buy cannabis when they were attacked. Sharp sustained fatal injuries in the assault. News Five’s Britney Gordon brings us the full story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
On Sunday night, just before nine p.m., twenty-year-old Santiago Garcia got a call from his stepfather, Jason Sharp, asking for a ride. Garcia agreed and drove him to a nearby neighborhood in Pomona Village. Unfortunately, just moments after they arrived, they were attacked, and Garcia was fatally stabbed.
“On Sunday, police responded to a report of his stabbing at the Southern Regional Hospital. Upon the arrival, they saw the lifeless body of San Santiago Garcia with stabs wounds. Shortly thereafter, two other persons arrive for treatment. Namely Jason Sharp and Kenroy Smith. Information received is, Santiago Garcia and Jason Sharp went to the residence of Smith to purchase cannabis. There was an altercation between them. A fight started at which point Smith took out a knife and inflicted the injuries to both persons and investigation has had been carried out on this file had been sent to the DPP for directives.”
Garcia’s sister, Mellissa Lemus, who was celebrating her birthday on the day her brother tragically passed away, shared that he was simply doing a favor for his stepfather. He had no idea about the danger that was waiting for them.
Mellissa Lemus
Mellissa Lemus, Sister of Deceased
“He was in his room laying down when he received a call from Jason that Jason wanted him to pick him up where he was, and after that, he wanted to take him to a place where they sell weed. So my brother because he worked with my brother, he try to help him in everything he can. So he did what Jason Sharp wanted him to do. After that, then he see this person just came through the back and hurt him with a knife. But as we see my brother’s body, he had bite. He also had another cut on his hand and his face was bruised.”
ACP Hilberto Romero explains that an argument broke out between the parties, resulting in Garcia’s fatal injuries. However, according to Lemus, the perpetrator has had intentions of hurting her brother for about a year.
Mellissa Lemus
“We know that it was a threat from years ago because my brother was a good person, right? He worked at CPBL and whenever he come home and he see people by the bump side waiting for bus or anything and he’s not bringing my mother, he would bring someone with him. It looked like he started to bring on this person, lady. The person was very jealous of it, and he was telling other people that he would do something to my brother.”
Both Sharp and Garcia received stab wounds and were taken to the hospital, where Sharp is still recovering. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams explains that Smith handed himself over to the police shortly after the incident transpired.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“The guy Smith is the one who actually took the other two the hospital for treatment. And following that, he went and surrendered himself to the police in, and explained to the police what had transpired.”
Lemus shared that her brother’s death has been incredibly tough on their mother. Already in poor health and dealing with another recent loss in the family, and this tragedy has hit her especially hard.
Mellissa Lemus
“Someone came here in the car and told her that my brother has passed, he’s hurt and he’s passed away, and she didn’t believe it. She called. She called me, and that’s when I realized that something happened because she was very sad, crying, screaming.”
Santiago is remembered for his kindness and ability to make connections with strangers. He was constantly surrounded by friends and family who loved and supported him.
Mellissa Lemus
“If he would see you on the street, he would hail you talk to you. I could tell you he’s a loving, loving person. He loved me so much. That’s why I was like this to him. He needed something and there, and whenever he needed help, he had other friends. He had Eddie from Cayo. He had so many other people. We had a good girlfriend that he always talk about that live in Benque, and we believe that what happened, we just want justice because he was a kind person.”
At just twenty years old, Garcia had big dreams of honing his skills as a truck driver and dedicating his life to taking care of his mother and family. Now, his family is calling for justice for Santiago and for all those who loved him.
Mellissa Lemus
“I don’t understand why they would have done that to him. It just hurt us because my grandfather has already passed March the twelfth, and we receive a bad news end of month, nearly end of month. March thirtieth, which was my birthday. It was a very big shock. Like I told you, he had many plans. A part of that right? Building my mom a big house, making her stop work. He promised my mom that he would stay with her forever because it was only him and my mom at the house.”
A resident of Crooked Tree Village is in police custody, charged with attempted murder after a bold attack on law enforcement officers on Sunday night. The incident happened in front of Fire Nightclub on the Philip Goldson Highway, where Stanley Flowers was spotted with a firearm and knife. According to the police report, Corporal Manuel Chub was standing about four feet away from a light-skinned man with dreadlocks, wearing a white T-shirt and faded blue jeans. The man was on a blue and black Meilun motorcycle without a license plate. Chub instructed him to raise his hands, but instead, the man pulled out a silver and black 9mm pistol and fired several shots at Chub, injuring him. The shooter then sped off on the Philip Goldson Highway towards Burrell Boom junction. When he reached the junction, officers from the Belize River Valley chased him. The man fired at their vehicle, damaging the hood and windshield, but was eventually caught.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Last night, sometime just before midnight, police received information of a male person inside the Eruption Nightclub compound who was armed with a firearm. Based on that, a team of police officers, Corporal Chub and another police went to the area and upon entering the compound, they saw an individual fitting the description as was relayed to them. They approached the individual and he took out a firearm and fired multiple shots at the vehicle. The police were able to alight the vehicle and upon approaching him, he fired shots at Corporal Chub, hitting him four times. Chub was rushed to the hospital and I must say that he has been treated and released. He is in good health and good spirit at this time. The individual, after having shot Corporal Chub, jumped on a motorcycle and made his way towards the Sand Hill area. The Sand Hill police were notified and they proceeded towards Belize City with a view to see if they would be able to apprehend the individual. And again, they encountered him on the highway and upon seeing the police mobile, he fired multiple shots at the police mobile, causing severe damages to that vehicle. The police were able to knock him down with their vehicle off his motorcycle and he was eventually detained. The firearm, a nine-millimeter pistol, was found on his person. So he was also taken to the hospital for treatment and has also been treated and released and is now in the custody of the police awaiting charges.”
Police are investigating a drug trafficking operation in southern Belize after anaircraft was found burnt on a makeshift airstrip near Graham Creek, Toledo, close to the Guatemalan border. On Friday, BDF Commander Brigadier General Azariel Loria confirmed the plane’s link to a drug ring and said the investigation is ongoing. One suspect from a nearby village has been detained. Loria stated, “it’s a drug trafficking network that we’re trying to dismantle in the south”. Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters today that a team of police and Belize Defense Force officers responded to the area and found the plane’s burnt remains. Williams confirmed there was no cargo on the plane. He added that the team stayed in the area to continue their investigation, and two individuals were eventually detained near the landing site.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Last week Thursday, after midnight, information was received of a plane that had landed in the extreme south of Belize. That is in the Toledo District. A team of police and BDF was dispatched to the area and upon arrival, the burnt remains of the plane were found and there was no cargo. The operations team remained in the area for a number of days, conducting searches in the area with the hope of finding something. And, eventually, they detained two persons who were found not too far from the vicinity of the plane landing and those two persons are currently in police custody being questioned with a view to ascertain if they have any information that could assist the police in determining who are those behind that plane landing. We had two police officers who were brought in for questioning. And, again, that was because of certain information that we were getting and so it was just done with a view to see if in fact the information obtained was accurate and to see if there was any involvement of these officers. But so far, investigators have probed into this matter and we have not found anything to incriminate those two officers as it relates to the plane landing.”
