In court this morning, Lucas asked the judge to set aside the evidence presented by Commissioner of Police Chester Williams and former Inspector Wilfredo Ferrufino. He argued that admitting the secondary evidence would be prejudicial to Selgado and pointed out to the court that their recollection of the audio recording was inconsistent. On the other hand, the DPP asserted that the testimonies provided by the ComPol and the former Inspector are standalone proof of Ramirez’s statement.
Reporter
“What does it mean that he’s also telling the judge and I think the judge also said himself that he must approach Giovanni Ramirez’s statement with a lot of caution? Could that hurt your case?”
Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions
“Those are the words that need to be used. Those are ordinary words used in directions to judges, to juries when considering evidence. Giovanni Ramirez did not actually come to testify, he did not go into the box and give his testimony and he wasn’t cross-examined. So of course the judge is being asked to rely on a written statement, so the judge has to approach it with caution. That does not mean that he cannot rely on it and in this case, as you have seen, there are so many aspects of that statement that have been independently confirmed. So our argument was that of course, the judge can reach the position that he can safely rely on that statement.”
Justice Candace Nanton has ruled that a Belize City man who stands accused of murder is insane and unfit to make a plea. Fifty-two-year-old Shedrack White is accused of the July 2020 murder of William Rubio in Belize City. In late January, Justice Nanton handed down her ruling in White’s competency hearing. She deemed him unfit to stand trial for murder. Today, White returned to the High Court to hear the judge’s decision on where he will be placed given his mental state. In handing down her decision, Justice Nanton noted that while Belize does not have any mental facilities to house White, he should not be deprived of the help he deserves. And so, Justice Nanton ordered that, White be detained in a safe place at the Kolbe Foundation, until further notice; that he is treated for his mental disease, namely Schizophrenia, and that reviews are done every six months as part of his treatment. The outcome of those reviews will be made known to the court, including any review that shows he is fit for trial. During the competency hearing, Doctor Alejandro Matus, told the court that after four evaluations it was determined that White suffers from the mental disorder. He explained that it causes him to lose touch with reality and familiar functions and that it can only be treated, not cured. Before handing down her decision this morning, Justice Nanton said that White has not been found guilty of any offense, but only unfit to plea. She further explained that the purpose of the court is to keep him safe until and if he could be found capable of entering a plea at a later date. Notwithstanding the court’s decision, Doctor Alejandro Matus has highlighted that it is likely White could ever be fit for trial. When the crown asked Doctor Matus what it will take for White to be released back into society, he responded saying White has to be on permanent treatment. When asked what would be the outcome if White does not take his treatment, Doctor Matus said he will be a risk to society.
The trial for attempted murder against former Coast Guard Officer Keyren Tzib is coming to an end with both defense and crown opening and closing their case. Tzib stands accused of trying to kill her former Coast Guard colleague, thirty-seven-year-old Kurt Hyde in April 2015. Allegations are that at the end of a joint maritime operation, Tzib took an M4 Carbine rifle and fired it in Hyde’s direction, hitting him once in the head. On January twenty-sixth, Tzib chose to give a dock statement in her defense. In her statement, Tzib explained to the court that she had no intention of harming Hyde. She stated that the gun had gone off accidentally because she stood up and the waves were rocking the boat at the time. She further noted that she had little experience with handling a firearm and that she is very sorry that it happened. In her defense, her attorney, Darrel Bradley, called two witnesses, Psychiatric Nurse, Ingrid Bennett and Clinical Psychologist Crystal Humes. Nurse Bennett informed the court that she treated Tzib between 2011 and 2019. She stated that in 2011, Tzib had an anxiety and depression disorder for which she was receiving treatment. Nurse Bennett further explained that only days before the incident, Tzib was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which may have derived from an allegation of rape. According to Nurse Bennett, Tzib was on medication at the time of the incident. Humes told the court that she did a test on Tzib in October 2023 in which PTSD was identified as the most pronounced mental illness. At the start of Tzib’s trial, the crown presented evidence in the form of statements coming from several witnesses that were on board the vessel at that time of the incident. Noel Lanza, a BDF soldier, stated that he saw Tzib stood up, took aim and fired a shot. Delon Castro, a boat captain for the Belize Port Authority, stated that he intervened by pushing down the gun after Tzib had fired the shot. Tyrone Young, a Coast Guard officer who has since passed away, said in his statement that Tzib pointed the gun towards the front of the boat then he heard a loud bang.
A man who attacked his stepfather, stabbing him multiple times back in July 2016, has nine years and one month left behind bars to serve for the crime of dangerous harm. Twenty-seven-year-old Michael Baptist Junior, also known as “Chucky” was found guilty of dangerous harm in the High Court by a jury of nine persons, on Thursday, November thirtieth, 2023, before Justice Nigel Pilgrim. In imposing the sentence, Justice Pilgrim took into consideration the aggravating and mitigating factors, as well as a Victim Impact Statement from the stabbing victim, Eugene Webster. His starting point was thirteen years, after he took into consideration the fact that Eugene Webster was stabbed multiple times to the abdomen causing his system to collapse. Justice Pilgrim also considered the fact that Webster now refers to himself as being partially handicapped and the fact that the crime was committed with a deadly instrument. Justin Pilgrim further noted that the stabbing incident appeared premeditated and that the trust factor was infringed upon, as Webster placed trust in him and had assisted him financially on the day of the incident. As a result, Justice Pilgrim increased the sentence to fifteen years. However, because Baptist has a conviction for theft and showed no remorse during the trial, he increased his time by 6 more months, bringing the time to fifteen years and six months. Justice Pilgrim then deducted four years and six months after considering a psychiatric evaluation that Baptist underwent in which he reportedly expressed remorse and a desire to do better. That brought the sentence down to eleven years and twenty-three months. Baptist has spent the last two years on remand, leaving him with nine years and one month left to serve in his sentence. The maximum penalty for the offense of dangerous harm is twenty years.
Orange Walk Police have arrested and charged Joseph Budna for the crime of cyber bullying. As we reported on Friday, Budna, a well-known figure who has had several brushes with the law, was wanted in connection with a complaint made against him. It is alleged that he used a social media platform to torment Orange Walk North Area Representative Ramon ‘Monchi’ Cervantes. Budna was arraigned in the Orange Walk Magistrate’s Court on Monday and was granted bail in the sum of one thousand dollars. He has once again taken to social media in an attempt to clear his name.
Joseph Budna, Charged for Cyber Bullying
“I’ve been through a lot, believe it or not. I‘ve been locked down in Belize City after eating a barbecue by the GI3 unit‘s personnel who deal with gang members, as if I was a gang member. I was taken to the Queen Street Police Station by the GI3 unit that deals with gangs and then I was locked down at the Raccoon Street Police Station. I told them, you know what, I went into Belmopan Cyber Crime Unit to report this guy, Anthony Tillett. I did report him and I have an official statement that I gave to them about it and they have taken my statement and they are working on that with their Guatemalan counterparts. I left the station and one of them tried to grab me and I did not allow them to do so until I consulted my attorney and that officer did not place me under arrest. So he could not say that I escaped from lawful custody. No, I did not. So I contacted many persons and after I contacted many persons, this happened on Friday, folks. Let me give you exactly what happened. On Friday, I visited Belmopan and I went to Cyber Crime Unit and I gave a statement against Anthony Tillett and I also managed to take a picture of that statement which later on I might be sharing if anything. But I took a picture of that and also what happened is that thereafter I left the station and these two police officers from Cyber Crime were acting very suspiciously and I don‘t know exactly what they were up to. So I left them and they didn‘t say you are under arrest or we place you under arrest. I left and I went and thereafter, I heard that they wanted to talk to me. So I called and I got the inspector’s number Inspector Juan Garcia from Cyber Crime. I contacted him and he said mein, we neva mi wahn arrest you, we just mih wahn talk to you concerning the report that the chairman of Chan Pine Ridge Village made against you that you accused di man that ih assault unu, you and the reporter for Estereo Amor.”
The Financial Services Commission has issued a notice advising Belizeans to exercise extreme caution when engaging with a land consultant under the name ER’s Land Consultancy in Orange Walk. In a warning issued today, the FSC stated that Eric Reyes of ER’s Land Consultancy is, “not licensed under the FSC Act to provide, carry on, transact, or hold itself out as providing, carrying on, or transacting any of the financial services as set out in the Schedule of the FSC Act”. Act number eight of the Financial Services Commissions Act 2023 states no person shall provide the business of financial service provider, registered agent or managing services in or from within Belize unless that person holds a valid license granted by the Commission under the Act. We spoke with Reyes who claims that Land Consultancy does not require a license under the FSC Act and affirmed that the issue will be dealt with soon. The FSC advises members of the public who transact business with this entity do so at their own risk.
The Public Service Union says that it will not be disrespected or fall victim of harassment any longer. On Monday, the Public Service Union issued a circular to its members reminding them of the proper protocols regarding public officers transferring within ministries. According to the circular, there have been multiple instances in which the C.E.O. of a ministry has either attempted to transfer officers themselves or attempt to refuse the transfer of an officer. It further states that these transfers can only be issued by the Public Services Commission or by the C.E.O. of the Ministry of Public Service as delegated by the commission. As transfers will be occurring between now and March thirty-first, the union felt obligated to issue a reminder to its member that they must report these instances to union if they occur. We spoke with President of the Public Service Union, Dean Flowers for more information.
Dean Flowers, President, P.S.U.
“Currently we’re dealing with some grievances in which public officers now, are claiming compensation for responsibility allowance, as well as acting allowances, for having been posted or transferred without the permission or without the knowledge of the CEO in the Ministry of Public Service or the commission. And in these cases, while we do enjoy success in being able to prove that these people were in fact performing in a capacity that they are not to have been. And in most cases we do get the compensation that they’re seeking. But we’re saying that we cannot continue always trying to prove these unauthorized transfers because it is important that the commission or the CEO in the Ministry of Public Service calls his colleagues and these heads of departments accountable who continue to usurp the authority by posting and transferring people without any OUT 7:47 vested authority. It doesn’t matter how much we report some of the irregularities that CEOs both past and present may be engaged in. We are yet to see under the previous administration or past administrations or under the current administration where CEOs who have not acted in the best interest of the public service have been recommended. We have not seen that and I am unable to say to you what would be those repercussions because all that the government sees when they come into office is blue and red and each and every administration that comes into government know exactly who are decent CEOs and upright CEOs and who are terrible whether from a human resource management standpoint or whether from an integrity standpoint, they know them and they know them well.”
In tonight’s installment of Kolcha Tuesday, we take you down to Hopkins Village. It is one of Belize’s prime tourist destinations. The village is predominantly occupied by the Garifuna people and it is one of the few places in Belize where cultural cuisine and tourism marry as a match made in culinary heaven. News’s Five’s Paul Lopez explored a few of the key ingredients that can be found in a Garifuna kitchen, the importance of local Garifuna restaurants to tourism in Hopkins Village, and why tourists keep coming back for the food and cultural experiences. Here is that report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Hopkins Village is a prime tourist destination in southern Belize.
Brian Smith
Brian Smith, Tourist
“Thursday’s my fiftieth so we just decided; we kinda threw a dart out there. That’d what the girls did and now here we are.”
At the heart of this locale are Garifuna restaurants that are situated along two main streets in the village. These restaurants provide guests with a wide selection of Garifuna cuisine and cultural music. Some restaurants only have their traditional options on certain days of the week, while other establishments like Ella’s Cool Spot serves guests hudut daily. Brian Smith and his family travelled to Hopkins from the U.S.to celebrate his fiftieth birthday. Today, they tried hudut for the first time, at Ella’s Cool Spot.
Brian Smith
“Culturally, it is fantastic. Some guys were chopping down a coconut tree and they offered me a coconut. I was like I am about to have some drinks and food over here and do some taste testing and try all the different foods along the day and it’s just been great.”
Paul Lopez
“Do you remember the name of the food you tried moments ago?”
Brian Smith
“The name of the food we tried moments ago was the fried fish, and the hudit, hudat, hudat, is that right? Hudat? We like fried catfish back home. This is just a soft, flaky bite fish, incredible, just tasty. And then, plantains. I have a friend of mine from Colombia that grew plantains. So we ate it all the time and then there is the dish of coconut milk, it is amazing so.”
From Ella’s Cool Spot we moved over to J and J’s Cool Spot, a family owned restaurant located on the north side of the island. Natasha Guy, the manager, is involved in the day to day operation of the business. She serves her guests and ensures that the food is to their liking. They provide a menu of daily food options, including cultural meals that are prepared upon request.
Natasha Guy
Natasha Guy, Manager, J and J’s Cool Spot
“We do cultural meals on request and we also do other dishes like hudut, the bundiga, the tapou. If it is not on the menu you can always advice us that you want to indulge in that and we will have it right away.”
One of the benefits of life along the Caribbean Sea coast is the ability to serve freshly caught fish every day. Seafood has been part of the Garifuna diet for generations. Today, fifty pounds of fresh snappers are being prepared for the kitchen to serve. Guy explains that this is one of three main ingredients in a traditional hudut dish.
Natasha Guy
“To be honest with you I would say that goes deeply with the falamou which is the coconut milk and then that goes with the organically grown plantain and banana, the freshly catch fish from the Caribbean Sea, these folks back in the days, that was their staple or main dishes, so that is a good way to incorporate it. That is a part of what makes the Garifuna dishes ital. It is very healthy as well. There is no rice and starch, other than the cassava and so forth, but keep in mind that it may look a little on your plate, but when it hits your stomach, that is it, you fall asleep.”
Just across from J and J’s Cool Spot is another family-owned, Garifuna restaurant, Queen Bean Restaurant. Today, they are closed for service to customers. Owner Felisha Augustine and her siblings have been in the kitchen toiling since early morning preparing food to celebrate the life of a relative who recently passed away. On days they are opened, Queen Bean serves a variety of traditional dishes and provides local entertainment. Augustine took some time out to tell us about the importance of the Garifuna cuisine to the local tourism industry.
Felisha Augustine
Felisha Augustine, Owner, Queen Bean
“It is very important and at the same time I am happy for everybody who have their businesses, because this is what we need for the tourist to get to the culture, let them learn to get to know the people and get everything and one thing they will never forget is Hopkins and villagers.”
Paul Lopez
“I find that you guys take pride in being kind, in offer a smile with your service and being kind. Is that an important part of the service you offer?”
Felisha Augustine
“It is, and then one things, we dah Garifuna people. Our culture, we are nice people and we welcome anybody no matter what. Fuh we ancestors they are good to us and that is why we always embrace everything about for we food and we language and we culture.”
Everyone who lives in Belize City and ventures out would know that there’s a whole lot of infrastructural work taking place over the past weeks. Some have said that it’s indicative of the election season, based on past trends when major street projects are carried out just prior to Election Day. Today, Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner showed off a new fleet of heavy-duty equipment and electric cars that the Belize City Council was able to acquire. When the question was posed, whether these efforts are indeed political, Wagner said the projects are (quote), “everything is aligning for a big victory,” (unquote).
Marion Ali
“Mayor, how do you respond to comments or the criticism that all of this that’s happening now is just merely electioneering – very nice e-taxis and then all the street works.- your critics have been saying that.”
Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City
“If you look at the concept papers, these were written – [for] the buses were written in 2017, 2018, 2018, when we came in. This program started under COVID. We have been talking so long. Da how long ah di talk bout bus and how long ah di talk bout e-taxis? Dan uh just this year when election.”
Marion Ali
“They’re happening now though.
Bernard Wagner
“But the project takes a long while. You know how these projects are. The buses for instance is an EU-funded grant fund – close to $3.8 million Euros. That’s a big project, and so it took a while. Even me got frustrated sometimes, but, it is here. It’s not electioneering. It’s just that everything is aligning. It’s aligning for a big victory. (Laughs)”
Last week when Hofius Store announced that it was going to close down later this year, the word was that the parking meter system in the downtown area was a factor in the company’s declining business. And a number of other businesses in the downtown area have also said off-record that they, too, feel as if the parking meters are a deterrent to business. But today when we met with him, Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner explained why the concept behind the meters was never to hinder business activity. In fact, he said that the metering is to allow all city residents a chance to access the parking area.
Bernard Wagner
Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City
“Parking meters are here to stay. It’s a part of the ecosystem of a smart city. You travel anywhere in the world, municipalities control on-street parking. We can’t control off street parking, but the city has a responsibility to ensure that the spaces that are on street are regulated and that me and you and my brother here have equal opportunity to use that space. The shop – the people who were parking there were not going into those stores to shop. They were people who were working in the downtown area and parked there all day. Even if we don’t have parking meters, people will still not be able to access based on what you are implying. Parking meters were placed there not to earn any substantive funds or anything. It was to regulate the space and that is working. If you go to Brodies, I challenge you to go to Brodies, any one of those areas that have businesses in that area, they would say that people drive right up there. I met a lady during Christmas and she said, I’ve never been in the downtown area, but now I’m able to go there and drive right up, pay my dollar, go in the shop, come out back.”
