Father Faces Court 8 Years After Son’s Brutal Killing

Oscar Garcia says no amount of time dulls the loss of a child. Today, nearly eight years after his 19-year-old son, Bobby Garcia, was killed at the Cahal Pech archaeological site, Garcia hopes the court will deliver long-awaited justice.

“We are glad that it has been 8 years, and we are still pressing on, and we are hoping that justice will be served,” Garcia told News 5 moments before entering court.

Bobby was found dead inside a temple on October 6, 2018. He had been stabbed repeatedly, his throat cut, and an “X” carved into his chest and face.

Two minors, aged 15 and 16 at the time, were jointly charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder and remanded to the Wagner’s Youth Facility.

One was later acquitted after becoming a Crown witness.

The other accused is now an adult and is before the High Court in Belmopan today for sentencing. He is represented by attorney Bryan Neal.

“It’s been quite a long time that we have been awaiting,” Garcia told News 5. “I believe that every family that has been through this situation would understand that everybody else may forget, but the immediate family and extended family, we always look forward to what will be the outcome and look forward to those who committed the crime would be held accountable for it.”

Even after several years, Garcia remembers his son as a “very energetic, very optimistic” teenager who was looking forward to junior college as a business student.

“Like all teenagers, he had his own dreams that he wanted to fulfill,” Garcia added.

The prosecution is led by Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl-Lynn Vidal.