Elmer Nah Waits One More Day To Learn Fate
Families of the Ramnarace victims walked into court today expecting long-awaited closure but left still waiting. Former police corporal Elmer Nah, convicted in May for the brutal murders of three family members and the attempted killing of a fourth in a 2022 New Year’s Eve attack in Belmopan, was set to be sentenced. Instead, the court pushed that decision to tomorrow morning. Shane Williams reports.
Jon & David Ramnarace
Shane Williams, Reporting
Former police corporal Elmer Nah walked into the Belize High Court this afternoon facing the possibility of spending the rest of his life behind bars. A jury found Elmer Nah guilty on May twenty-ninth for a deadly New Year’s Eve 2022 shooting that wiped out three members of the Ramnarace family inside their Belmopan home. Jon, David, and Vivian Ramnarace were killed in the attack, while Yenie Alberto survived after Nah also attempted to take her life.
Vashti Belisle
The courtroom fell silent as grief filled the room. Speaking for her family, Vashti Belisle delivered an emotional victim impact statement, painting a picture of Vivian Ramnarace’s life and the devastating loss left behind. For nearly thirty minutes, she described a devoted mother and public servant whose life was violently taken, leaving a family forever changed. One of the most gripping moments came when Belisle recalled a chilling memory, her mother receiving a frantic call from Vivian on the night of the shooting, pleading for help, “We just got shot up. Come for the baby.”
Vivian Ramnarace
The focus in court quickly shifted to the severity of the crime, as prosecutors laid out why they believe Elmer Nah deserves life behind bars. They pointed to a series of aggravating factors, multiple victims, a brazen attack carried out inside a family home, and the trauma inflicted on a young child who witnessed the violence. Justice Nigel Pilgrim underscored those points, adding that one of the victims was a public servant and that evidence suggests the killings were carefully planned.
In mitigation, defense attorney Dr. Lynden Jones asked the court to consider Nah’s years of service as a police officer, his previously clean criminal record and the possibility of rehabilitation. Nah himself did not make a statement to the court, and no witnesses were called on his behalf.
Elmer Nah
After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Pilgrim said he required additional time to consider the arguments before determining an appropriate sentence.
Shane Williams
“Any statement Mr. Nah? Anything to Say Mr. Nah?”
Elmer Nah, Convicted of Murder
“Noh watch me fall. Watch me rise.”
The long-awaited sentencing has been delayed until nine a.m. tomorrow. Shane Williams for News Five.
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