A courtroom twist has delayed the trial of two police officers accused of willfully suppressing a couple they allegedly caught in a compromising situation back in 2020. The case, involving officers Leslie Martinez and Jason Shaw, took an unexpected turn when charges against a third officer, Anthony Villamil, were suddenly dropped, just as the trial was set to begin. That surprise move left the judge scrambling to explain the change to the jury. But things got even more complicated when three jurors had to be excused, two of them revealing personal connections to the defense attorney. With too few jurors left, the trial was aborted. Now, a new jury will be selected on October twentieth, when Martinez and Shaw are expected to face the charges alone. As for Villamil, he may now become a witness in the case after reportedly giving a statement that implicates his former colleagues.
A high-profile legal case that once sent shockwaves across the nation is back in the spotlight. This morning, former Belizean Ambassador Alexis Rosado returned to court after spending three years out on bail. Rosado, who once represented Belize on the international stage, including at the International Court of Justice, now faces serious criminal charges stemming from allegations made in 2021. The accusations involve a disturbing claim of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, beginning when the alleged victim was just thirteen years old. Rosado has been charged with rape, sexual assault, and multiple counts of aggravated assault of an indecent nature. Originally brought before the Magistrate’s Court in 2022, the case has since been elevated to the High Court. At today’s arraignment, News Five briefly spoke with Rosado and his attorney, Richard “Dickie” Bradley, as the legal process moves into its next phase.
Britney Gordon
“Do you have anything to say today?”
Alexis Rosado, Arraigned for Rape
“No miss.”
Britney Gordon
“Any comments on today’s session?”
Alexis Rosado
“Not at all. None”
Britney Gordon
“And how are you feeling going into today’s session then?”
Alexis Rosado
“I good. I don’t have anything to say. Thank you.”
Richard “Dickie” Bradley
Richard “Dickie” Bradley, Attorney-at-Law
“This matter has now come to the High Court, and the ambassador has been basically arraigned in the high court of the country on the allegations that have been made against him.”
Reporter
“Okay. So this was just a regular arraignment.”
Richard “Dickie” Bradley
“It was just a regular arraignment, nothinh special, nothing out of ordinary in the matter. Following an arraignment, procedurally the two sides, the defense and the prosecution would ensure that what is referred to in the lower court as a disclosure up here, we talk about a deposition, that we are all on the same page in terms of what is the deposition, which includes statements, exhibits, medical reports, expert reports, whatever is is. So that was something that came up today as well. And so our side and the prosecution will sort that out between ourselves. So when we return back to court, we have a deposition that is in fact the same thing for all sides.”
Reporter
“Could you remind us of the charges brought against your client?”
Richard “Dickie” Bradley
“The charges are that there is one charge of a sex assault, a charge of rape. I think they have put in an aggravated assault, which normally would be dealt with at the magistrate court, but rather than having a trial there, and a trial here. That is the charge that is against the accused person.. The bail was nothing excessive. It was a signed bail for I think maybe ten thousand or eight thousand dollars. Bail is just a procedure that the court puts person’s through to ensure that somebody would have to be responsible, that they do turn up. Otherwise they will use their land or their money.”
The next court session is scheduled for June twenty-fourth, 2025.
A man from San Pedro has admitted to killing a police officer during a night of drinking more than five years ago. Thirty-two-year-old Josue Danilo Villatoro Amador has pleaded guilty to manslaughter as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. The incident happened on January eleventh, 2019, when Amador and Corporal Alfonso Guy were drinking together. The two, reportedly intoxicated, went back to Guy’s home. At some point, Guy handed his police-issued gun to Amador for safekeeping. When Guy returned from the bathroom, he took out the magazine and gave the gun back to Amador. Moments later, Amador pulled the trigger, firing a single shot that struck Guy in the chest, killing him instantly. Amador fled the scene but was later found by police and cooperated with the investigation. Originally charged with murder in 2020, Amador has been behind bars ever since. On May twenty-second, 2025, he officially entered a plea deal, admitting to the lesser charge of manslaughter. However, he missed a court date on May 29, prompting a bench warrant. He turned up the next day and was remanded once again. Justice Candace Nanton is now awaiting several reports, including a social inquiry, victim impact statement, and prison report, before deciding on Amador’s sentence, which is expected in July. Prosecutors have recommended a fifteen-year sentence with possible reductions for time already served and other mitigating factors.
The high-profile case against Elmer Nah is moving forward, but not without tension inside the courtroom. At today’s continuation of the case management conference, Nah’s sole defense attorney, Doctor Lynden Jones, requested that the court be closed during the upcoming voir dire hearings, citing safety concerns—including death threats he says he received during earlier proceedings. But Justice Nigel Pilgrim denied the request, stating that the court has adequate security measures in place and emphasized the importance of open court proceedings, especially in a case of this magnitude. The trial is set to begin Monday, May twenty-sixth, starting with a voir dire into the statement of Vivian Ramnarace, followed by another on the video evidence of the shooting. Doctor Jones also raised concerns about late disclosures from the prosecution, including access to video metadata that the defense had requested for over two years. Despite his objections, the judge ruled against delaying the process. Both the prosecutor and Elmer Nah appeared virtually today, while Doctor Jones was present in court. Nah is expected to appear in person for Monday’s proceedings. We’ll continue to follow this developing story as the trial gets underway.
Tonight, a murder case from 2024 continues to unfold in the courts. David Friesen, a Mennonite man accused of murder, has been further remanded to the Belize Central Prison as he awaits his next court date on June sixth, 2025, for a case management conference. Friesen, who turns thirty on May twenty-sixth, is charged with the murder of Alexander Villamil, which took place on February seventeenth, 2024, in Corozalito Village. He has pleaded not guilty. His attorney, Lynden Jones, told the court he plans to request a voir dire—a special hearing to challenge the admissibility of a statement Friesen gave to police. Jones argues that the statement was coerced and possibly tampered with. We’ll continue to follow this case and bring you updates as it develops.
Twenty-five-year-old Dray Mossiah, a painter from Cleghorn Street, is now facing two criminal charges after a late-night police search turned up suspected cocaine and drug paraphernalia in his home. Police say they executed a search warrant at Mossiah’s residence around eleven p.m. on Monday. Inside, they reportedly found a small bag of white powder, along with straws believed to have cocaine residue. But things took a turn when Mossiah allegedly tried to bribe one of the officers with a hundred and forty dollars in cash, asking to be let go without charges. That move landed him a second charge, attempting to corrupt a police officer. Mossiah appeared in court this morning without a lawyer and initially pleaded guilty. But after hearing the details, he seemed unsure and told the magistrate, quote, no drugs were found in the straw, end quote. The court entered a not guilty plea on his behalf and advised him to seek legal counsel. The magistrate noted that as a first-time offender for these particular charges, Mossiah could face fines between a hundred and two hundred dollars per count. However, it turns out he still owes over nine thousand, five hundred dollars from a 2021 drug conviction. Before he could post bail today, he was ordered to pay five hundred dollars toward that outstanding fine. Mossiah managed to make the payment just before four p.m. and was granted bail. He’s due back in court on July fifteenth and must make another payment toward his old fine by June.
Police have made a breakthrough in the murder case of sixty-one-year-old Carlos Avelar, a mason from Belize City whose shocking death earlier this month left the community in mourning. Avelar was gunned down on the night of May first while walking along Coney Drive. Witnesses say two men on a motorcycle pulled up around 8:15 p.m. and opened fire, hitting him multiple times before speeding off. The brutal attack sparked outrage and calls for justice. Now, police have arrested twenty-two-year-old Jamal Brackett in connection with the killing. Authorities say they are still searching for a second suspect. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith shared that the investigation is ongoing, and more updates will follow as the case develops.
Stacy Smith
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
“As it relates to the murder of Carlos Avelar, that on occurred on first of May, 2025, police formerly arrested and charged Jamal Brackett. A twenty-two year Belizean of Mayflower Street with the crime of murder. Police are also seeking a second individual in relation to this investigation.”
Britney Gordon
“Have police been able to determine a motive for the murder?”
ASP Stacy Smith
“No motive has been ascertained so far. However, the information that has been gathered thus far has been sufficient to warrant. An arrest. It is believed that as the investigation continues to unfold, a motive will be made known. The investigation that was conducted led police to the arrest of that individual and to. The seeking of the other individual.”
A Belize City man is behind bars tonight, charged in connection with a deadly Labor Day shooting. Twenty-two-year-old Jamal Brackett, a construction worker from Mayflower Street, has been arraigned for the murder of sixty-one-year-old Carlos Enriquez Avelar. Brackett appeared in court this morning, unrepresented, and was read a single charge of murder. Due to the seriousness of the offense, no plea was taken, and bail was denied. He’s been remanded to the Belize Central Prison until August eighteenth. Police say the fatal shooting happened just after eight p.m. on May first, along Coney Drive. Avelar was reportedly walking near the corner of Coney Drive and Sunrise Avenue when two men on a motorcycle approached. One of them opened fire, hitting Avelar multiple times before fleeing the scene. He was rushed to K.H.M.H. but was pronounced dead on arrival. Investigators recovered expended shells and blood swabs from the scene, and the case is now in the hands of the courts.
After nearly three hours of legal summing-up, the jury in the William “Danny” Mason and Ryan Rhaburn trial delivered a dramatic verdict this afternoon. Mason was found guilty of kidnapping Mennonite couple Lloyd and Rosie Friessen, while Rhaburn was acquitted on all charges. The nine-member jury—five men and four women—deliberated for less than two hours before returning with their decision. Mason was convicted by a majority of eight to one, while all jurors agreed he was not guilty of blackmail. Rhaburn, meanwhile, was unanimously cleared of both kidnapping charges. Justice Nigel Pilgrim, who presided over the trial, reminded jurors that while he interprets the law, they are the judges of the facts. Mason’s sentencing has been set for June twentieth, 2025. Rhaburn, who had been remanded pending the verdict, walked out of court a free man. His attorney, Senior Counsel Simeon Sampson, praised the jury’s decision, calling the evidence against his client “so poor” that acquittal was the only outcome. Mason’s attorney, Peter Taylor, hinted at a possible appeal, calling the verdict “confusing.”
Two men accused of the March 2024 murder of Elwin Lewis, also known as “Bobo Youth,” are back behind bars after being ordered to stand trial. Travis Herbert and Robert Taylor appeared in court this morning, where a Senior Magistrate committed them to stand trial at the June session of the High Court. The prosecutor presented ten statements and several exhibits, including autopsy details and DVDs, which will be used in the trial. The men were given an alibi warning and asked to provide witness names. Herbert named three women, including his sister, as alibi witnesses. Robert Emmanuel Arnold, twenty-one, was also charged with Lewis’s murder, following Herbert’s arraignment in May 2024. Both men were remanded to Belize Central Prison, unable to be granted bail due to the nature of the offense. Arnold inquired about the bail process, and the Senior Magistrate explained that he would need to seek bail through the High Court with an attorney’s assistance. The incident occurred on March twenty-second, 2024, when police responded to a shooting on Antelope Street Extension. They found a grey Lifan motorcycle and expended shells at the scene. Initial investigations revealed that Lewis was shot by two men on another motorcycle. He was taken to K.H.M.H. but later died from his injuries. Police reviewed surveillance footage and identified Herbert as one of the shooters. The investigation continues as the case moves to trial.
