Appeal Hearing for Convicted Attorney Oscar Selgado Underway

This morning, the Court of Appeal heard arguments in the high-profile case of Oscar Selgado, the fifty-six-year-old attorney convicted last year of abetment to murder. Selgado was found guilty of allegedly putting a hit on Marilyn Barnes, a Belizean woman. The hit never happened, but the court ruled his actions crossed the line. Today, his legal team, led by Arthur Saldivar and Darrell Bradley, argued why that conviction should be overturned. The hearing raised tough questions, one judge even asked the DPP if the case would have stood without a key statement from Giovanni Ramirez, the man Selgado allegedly hired. The DPP admitted, without that statement, the crown would have had no case. That statement was admitted after a voir dire, despite Ramirez never testifying in person, citing fear for his life. Selgado’s lawyers say that decision violated the Evidence Act and argue the crown failed to offer protection or virtual testimony options for Ramirez. They also questioned why crucial evidence, a phone allegedly containing recordings, was never recovered before trial. After hours of back-and-forth, the panel of judges reserved their decision for a later date. For now, Selgado remains convicted and serving a ten-year sentence, but the outcome of this appeal could change everything.