Belize District - Greater Belize Media

Oscar Selgado Guilty of Abetment to Commit Murder

Defense attorney Oscar Selgado has been found guilty of abetment to commit murder in an unprecedented ruling handed down by High Court Justice Nigel Pilgrim. Justice Pilgrim determined that Selgado had attempted to hire a gang member to carry out the murder of Marilyn Barnes, who had filed a complaint against him for unethical behavior. The judge found that the prosecution’s main witness, Giovanni Ramirez, was truthful and reliable. News Five’s Hipolito Novelo was in court and has the following story.

Hipolito Novelo, Reporting

From defense attorney to convict… Tonight, defense attorney Oscar Selgado is sitting in a jail cell at the Belize Central Prison. This is after High Court Justice Nigel Pilgrim handed down a historic verdict. Selgado was found guilty of abetment to commit murder.

Cheryl Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions

“Let’s just say justice was done. I don’t know of any other case. I’ve been here 23 and a half years.”

Selgado is facing up to seven years behind bars, based on precedence. He attempted to hire Belize City gang member Giovanni Ramirez to murder Marilyn Barnes, who had made a complaint to the General Legal Counsel against Selgado for unethical behavior. Ramirez was the prosecution’s main witness, and in his ruling, Justice Pilgrim determined that Ramirez’s evidence was truthful and reliable.

Cheryl Lynn Vidal

“He accepted the statement of Giovanni Ramirez. He found him to be truthful in his statement and that what was stated in that statement suffice to prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.”

From our records, this is the first time that a practicing attorney has been convicted of such a crime. In November 2023, after chastising the media, Selgado said he would comment when the trial concluded.

Oscar Selgado, Guilty of Abetment to Commit Murder (File: November 3^rd 2023)

“What is it that the media wants to ask me? To comment upon a case that is before a judge? I am not afraid of the media. I have nothing to hide. What I want you people to understand is to respect my privacy and I don’t want to see you back at this court until the case is finish. When the case is finished, I will give you an interview, and I will tell you what I think.”

Selgado appeared in court today in casual clothing. During the judgment, he stared expressionlessly away from Justice Pilgrim who pronounced him guilty. He had no words for News Five while being escorted to a waiting prison van at the end of the session.

Hipolito Novelo

“Mister Selgado, anything to say, sir?”

Oscar Selgado

“(No Answer)”

Hipolito Novelo

“You said you would comment at the end of the trial.”

Oscar Selgado

“(No answer)”

Hipolito Novelo

“How do you feel about the verdict today that you’ve been found guilty of abetment to commit murder?”

Oscar Selgado

“(No answer)”

Hipolito Novelo

“Any words for your family?

Oscar Selgado

“(No Answer)”

Hipolito Novelo

“Will you appeal, sir?

Oscar Selgado

“(No Answer)”

It would not be unusual for Selgado to appeal the verdict; however, DPP Cheryl Lynn Vidal says it will be difficult.

Hipolito Novelo

“Is there any indication from Mr. Sargaro’s attorney that they would appeal this matter?

Cheryl Lynn Vidal

“I don’t think they’ll be giving me that indication, but I’m certain that he will. I’m also certain that he’ll find it very difficult from what I heard to succeed on an appeal.”

Attorney Richard Dickie Bradley, who sat in the courtroom, described today’s events as quote, ‘a sad day’.

Richard “Dickie” Bradley, Attorney

“It is a sad day.”

Reporter

“What happens now? Obviously, he won’t be able to represent the accused people in the Bladden 12.”

Richard “Dickie” Bradley

“That is true. We have to make arrangements for them to be properly represented.”

Reporter

“What is the penalty or sentence that he faces?

Richard “Dickie” Bradley

“Well, the maximum under the law is that he can get life imprisonment.”

Selgado was represented by attorney Adolph Lucas Senior. He is to appear in court on April 29^th for sentencing. Reporting for News Five, I am Hipolito Novelo.

OJ Elrington is Charged for Rape

It’s been several weeks since we broke the story of an incident that allegedly involved a prominent Belize City attorney who stands accused of raping a pair of women. Tonight, forty-two-year-old Orson Jerome Elrington, better known as OJ, is out on bail after appearing before the lower courts this afternoon. His arraignment followed a single charge that was brought by the D.P.P.’s office in respect of a criminal report made against him. It is alleged that he raped a woman on the night of January twelfth, 2024. Shortly after midday, Elrington was escorted to the Queen Street Police Station where he was processed. Two hours later, he was taken to the Magistrate’s court on Coney Drive where he was arraigned in the courtroom of a senior magistrate. Earlier today, we caught up with Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl Lyn Vidal who spoke briefly on the matter.

Cheryl Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions

“I met with the complainants in the matter and based on what they said to me, we did additional work and it was at the end of that process that we were in a position to make a decision.”

OJ Elrington is on Bail for Rape

Meanwhile, in the lower court, Elrington was accompanied by his father, Hubert Elrington, and fellow attorneys Norman Rodriguez and Michelle Trapp. The Senior Magistrate explained to Elrington that due to the nature of the offense, she will not take a plea. When the prosecutor was asked if he had any objection to bail being granted to the accused, he raised no objection. With that, bail was offered in the sum of eight thousand dollars, plus one surety of the same amount. The conditions of his bail include reporting to the Belama Police Station every Tuesday, as well as surrendering his travel documents to the Clerk of Court. We spoke with Hubert Elrington and Norman Rodriguez following the arraignment.

Hubert Elrington, Attorney-at-law

“We believe that it‘s going to be very difficult for any of them to defeat us in a criminal trial. That‘s all.”

Court Reporter

“Can I ask a question? We know that the norm here at court is that persons who are accused and charged with rape, normally there is an objection to bail. Today, there was no objection in court today. As it relates to the law, tell us how that was.”

Hubert Elrington

“I wasn’t in court when that was gone through so you would have to ask somebody who was there.”

Norman Rodriguez, Attorney-at-law

“As it relates to the bail, there was no objection and if there was no objection then we really have nothing more to day.”

Court Reporter

“Okay, but as it relates to the law, does the offense of rape, does it appear as one of those offenses that the court can or cannot grant bail?”

Norman Rodriguez

“It is not listed in Section 16 of the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act. As a result of that, the magistrate can grant bail and she did.”

Court Reporter

“Tell us a little bit about the conditions to his bail.

Norman Rodriguez

“It‘s the usual, he has to sign in once a week. He must stay or not come within a certain distance of the virtual complainant or any of the prosecution‘s witnesses. He is to surrender his passport and if he needs to leave the country, he has to get permission from the court. It‘s normal.”

D.P.P. Comments on Charge Dismissed Against Accused Murderer

An accused murderer is a free man tonight after a crown counsel in the D.P.P.’s office failed to show up in court. As we reported on Thursday, Shawn Hertular saw the charge dismissed by Justice Derick Sylvester because no one from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions appeared in court. Hertular was accused of fatally stabbing Miguel Zaiden in November 2021. Prior to that charge, he was sentenced to twenty years in prison for a previous homicide. So, the man who was once sentenced for murder and charged with another is now a free man. So, whose fault is it? That’s what we asked the Director of Public Prosecution, Cheryl Lynn Vidal, today.

Cheryl Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions

“Sometime ago that file was assigned to a particular counsel, and that counsel did not show up to work or to court yesterday. and that matter will be dealt with. I don’t want to speak any further on it.”

Hipolito Novelo

“But the murder charge that has been dismissed, right?

Cheryl Lynn Vidal

“That was the indication from the marshal.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Yes. He’s basically a free man.”

Cheryl Lynn Vidal

“At the moment. Yeah.”

Hipolito Novelo

“(He) can’t be charged with the same crime again.

Cheryl Lynn Vidal

“We will make a determination as to how we are moving forward with the matter.”

Hipolito Novelo

“So who’s ultimately to blame here? Basically no one from the DPP’s office was sent. Is it you to blame?

Cheryl Lynn Vidal

“You’ve all been here. When I have matters, I show up on time.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Insubordination from your staff? I know we had issues between you and them in the past and the Attorney General’s office. Indication about ongoing tensions?”

Cheryl Lynn Vidal

“I said it will be dealt with. There was a counsel who should have appeared to conduct that trial yesterday and that counsel did not appear and that was the consequence.”

Convicted Criminal Anke Doehm May Face More Charges

Anke Doehm is the sixty-three-year-old American woman who the High Court found guilty of cruelty to a child earlier this week. Doehm was remanded to the Belize Central Prison after a nine-member jury unanimously found that she neglected her adopted daughter, thirteen-year-old Fay Lin Cannon, who ultimately died because of that neglect. She is expected to be sentenced on Tuesday, March fourteenth. Doehm may also be facing additional criminal charges. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl Lynn Vidal, told News Five that based on what was revealed during the trial, her office will be pursuing additional charges against Doehm.

Cheryl Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions

“Yes, Anke Doehm was convicted on Monday of cruelty to a child. Unfortunately, during the course of preparing for and prosecuting that case, a lot more came to light. And it may be that further action may be taken against her in the coming months, it may be.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Is your office looking for the maximum penalty in this case?”

Cheryl Lynn Vidal

“I don’t think in the circumstances she will get the maximum penalty, but we’re certainly looking at a custodial sentence.”

Hipolito Novelo

“What’s the maximum sentence that she can get?

Cheryl Lynn Vidal

“10 years.”

C.C.J. Dismisses Murderer’s Appeal

The Caribbean Court of Justice today dismissed an appeal brought by Nevis Betancourt. He is the man who was convicted of the murder of Jose Castellanos. In July 2017, Castellanos was shot inside a restaurant in Santa Elena Town. Betancourt was subsequently indicted and tried for murder. He was convicted and sentenced to twenty years in prison. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal and affirmed the conviction. Betancourt appealed to the C.C.J. on the ground that the Court of Appeal erred in upholding the trial judge’s rejection of the defense of self-defense. The trial judge accepted the case for the prosecution, which was that Betancourt entered a restaurant, shot Castellanos twice before Castellanos chopped him with a machete. Betancourt continued to shoot Castellanos, who left the restaurant and thereafter died. The C.C.J. ruled that Castellanos did not act in self-defense, but rather that he was the aggressor. The Crown was represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl Lynn Vidal.

Cheryl Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions

“Yes, I had to unfortunately come out of court to go to receive that judgment and the appeal was dismissed and the conviction was affirmed.”

Hipolito Novelo

“On what grounds?

Cheryl Lynn Vidal

“Their argument was that there was a third version of events that the trial judge had not taken into account and so there was a resulting miscarriage of justice. Our response was that there was in fact no third version because on the facts that the trial judge accepted she had already found that he was not in fact acting in self defense. He was the aggressor and the court found favor with our arguments.”

Attorney OJ Elrington Charged with Rape

Attorney Orson “OJ” Elrington was today charged with rape. He appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court where he was offered bail of eight thousand dollars plus one surety. The prosecution did not object to bail.

Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl Lynn Vidal told News Five, “I met with the Complainants in the matter and based on what they said to me, we did additional work and it was at the end of that process that we were in a position to make a decision.”

As we have been reporting, two women alleged that the attorney raped them. In January Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters that “According to them while on their way home they were told by the attorney that they would stop at his house for one final drink after which he would take them home. They agreed, and they stopped off at a house according to them and whilst at the house they continued to drink and taking some shots of tequila. One of them said that she drank to the extent that she could not recall what took place after leaving the nightclub until the next day morning when she was awakened on the bed in the nude beside the attorney who was also semi nude. And her other partner who was there with her at the same time told her certain things. According to them while they were at the house the night drinking, they began to become intimate and that intimacy lead to him having sexual intercourse with them against their will and then the next day morning when they went home the one who is from Belize City told her boyfriend what transpired and he told her to report the matter to the police. “

BREAKING: Attorney Oscar Selgado Found Guilty

Attorney Oscar Selgado was found guilty of abetment to commit murder by the High Court a few minutes ago. The Justice found that Selgado tried to hire Giovanni Ramirez to murder Marilyn Barnes in 2019. Barnesi had filed a complaint against Selgado to the General Legal Council.

Selgado was represented by Adolph Lucas Sr. The prosecution was represented by Director of Public Prosecution Cheryl Lynn Vidal.

Continue reading BREAKING: Attorney Oscar Selgado Found Guilty

P.U.P. Routs U.D.P. in Municipals: 8 to 1

The People’s United Party remains on top after steamrolling all political opponents, including the United Democratic Party which it soundly defeated during the municipal elections on Wednesday. Tonight, we’ll begin with a recap of what transpired across the country on election day and how the blue machine overwhelmed the U.D.P. across all cities and towns with the exception of San Ignacio/Santa Elena. We’ll also show you what the Opposition Leader says following the stunning loss at the polls. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano to begin our post election coverage.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

The opposition, as well as all third parties and independent candidates, was walloped at the polls on Wednesday by the People’s United Party. In hindsight, this bold prediction, initially made on Nomination Day by Party Leader Shyne Barrow, will likely go down in history as egg on his face.

Isani Cayetano

“What is your confidence on the ground, in terms of the municipal slates across all nine cities and towns.”

Shyne Barrow, Leader, United Democratic Party (File: February 21^st, 2024)

“I want the Belizean people to see, with all humility, this is my projection. Nine, nine municipalities and it is not farfetched. There was a time where the United Democratic Party administered all nine municipality and no municipality was out of reach.”

Despite its best efforts, the United Democratic Party was trounced in Belize City, one of the most hotly contested municipalities in the country. By the time the ballots were being counted, halfway through the process, the PUP had already claimed victory over the Old Capital.

Bernard Wagner, Returning Mayor, Belize City

“I always have to say thank you to the people of Belize City and I also have to thank God, he has been the person behind me. I have to thank my family, I have to thank all the people of Belize City. But clearly, some of the indicators, essentially, are really significant from some of the key polling areas, constituencies of Lake-I, Pickstock, Freetown, Caribbean Shores. Clearly those numbers that we are seeing and are being forwarded to myself, we’re looking, pretty, pretty good.”

A total of four hundred and fifty-two thousand, seventy-three ballots were cast during yesterday’s elections in Belize City. Of that amount, roughly sixty-three percent of votes were in favor of the ruling People’s United Party. For the UDP, things got off to a slow start and ended in much the same way.

Dr. Nelma Jones Mortis, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, Belize City

“If you notice, I think, thus far, when I checked, I think about three hundred and twenty of our pledges have cast their vote. Each standard bearer is responsible for their constituency and for bringing out the vote. We collaborate with them, in terms of when people approach us, we pass it on to the standard bearers. So each standard bearer has their machinery set up.”

It’s the same approach that was employed by the P.U.P. area representatives. In Freetown, Francis Fonseca was able to secure seventy-six percent of the twenty thousand, eight hundred and five votes. In contrast, the UDP only had four thousand, two hundred and seven votes, or roughly twenty percent of that total.

Francis Fonseca, Area Representative, Freetown

“So we have a very experienced team in Freetown and so we have a very clear plan. So today has been all about executing that plan. You know, we’ve been campaigning with the team with Mayor Wagner and the city council team over the past few months, since the start of the year, and the campaign has been very good. They’ve been warmly received in Freetown, both in Belama and here in King’s Park.”

Taken as a whole, the turnout in Belize City, as in other municipalities, was lower than expected.

Alisha Craig, U.D.P. Councilor Candidate, Belize City

“I wish it was higher. I just checked the polls and they say it’s only about nine thousand out of thirty thousand. So, you know, that’s not really good, but maybe it’s a good sign as well. Like I said, that’s where the machinery, getting your taxis and everything in place to get out your voters. I think that’s what’s going to decide who wins the elections.”

Dr. Nelma Mortis

“ I was a bit disappointed in the low voters turnout, but I walked in confidence and I walked in confidence because I have put in the work and I have shared my vision and it’s up to the workers to decide who or what they expect for Belize City. And so, I did my best. I’ll be Nelma Mortis tomorrow, the same Nelma Mortis tomorrow.”

On the other hand, despite a low voter turnout, Eluide Miller was optimistic and remained so for the duration of the voting process, as well as the counting later in the evening.

Eluide Miller, P.U.P. Councilor Candidate, Belize City

“I’m feeling very excited seeing our residents flowing in to cast their votes. It’s a really beautiful moment and so we’ve been working very hard over the past couple weeks, past couple months and so it all comes down to today. Today is what matters most. I am very excited and yeah, I’m happy.”

Ultimately, returning mayor Bernard Wagner has secured a third term in office, along with his team of ten councilors, five of whom are carrying over from the previous Belize City Council.

Isani Cayetano

“It’s rare that we see, if perhaps not the first time that we’re seeing someone go for three consecutive terms in municipal office.”

Bernard Wagner

“I am telling you it’s overwhelming for me, personally. Really overwhelming. When I started in 2018, I could never conceive in my own mind that at some point in time I would be grappling with the idea of being a three-term mayor. But I believe in the will of the people and clearly the people in Belize City have spoken resoundingly again. And so, we are really excited to be able to serve the people again.”

Isani Cayetano for News Five.

PM Briceño Believes in Alignment of Governments

The harmony between the municipal and central government, based on the party in power, has been a topic of much discussion leading up to yesterday’s national vote. While it can be argued that municipalities should remain autonomous, it can also be debated that the alignment of both forms of government bodes well for initiatives being undertaken in all cities and town. Prime Minister John Briceño believes in the positioning of both entities for optimal performance.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I think it speaks well for the party, both a national and local level because we have been ensuring that we are performing at the local level and one of the things that we did when we had a meeting with all of the mayoral candidates about three Mondays ago. And we’re telling them now that at the national level, I think that we have even a greater responsibility to be able to monitor them closer to ensure that they are living up to the manifesto promises and that also they can be managing the finances as best as possible, as efficient as possible and then we could join with them, that we believe we can do a lot more. For instance, my community development fund , I give twelve thousand of my community development fund, I pass it on to the town council because then we could double that money because we could buy materials with the money that that provides and the town council has the manpower to be able to do whatever small projects we want to do. Also this speaks well for central government because it shows that people are feeling the good work of what we’re doing, reducing unemployment by 3.2%, reducing the national debt from a 133% to 63% to be able to grow the economy much faster than IMF ever thought possible. These things have a positive effect on the lives of people.”