CCJ Restores Manslaughter Convictions in Sotz Case

Today, the Caribbean Court of Justice handed down a major decision, one that brings new life to a case Belizeans have not forgotten. The CCJ has reinstated the manslaughter convictions of two police officers accused in the 2015 death of eighteen‑year‑old Hilberto Sotz. Sotz died while in police custody on Caye Caulker after being picked up for questioning about a burglary. Investigators later found he had been beaten, allegedly by officers Leonard Nunez and Hallet King, causing a fatal heart attack brought on by blunt‑force trauma. The CCJ’s ruling today overturns a Court of Appeal decision that had set those convictions aside, and it sends the matter back to the appellate court to decide on sentencing. It’s a major turn in a case that sparked national outrage more than a decade ago. Tonight, News Five’s Britney Gordon takes a closer look at the ruling and the long road to justice in the death of Hilberto Sotz.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Back on June eighth, 2015, chaos erupted on Caye Caulker as residents rioted over the death of eighteen‑year‑old Hilberto Sotz. He’d been picked up for questioning about a burglary and died inside the Caye Caulker Police Station. A post‑mortem later found he suffered a massive heart attack caused by blunt‑force injuries to his head and body. Police constables Leonard Nunez and Hallet King were charged. Today, the Caribbean Court of Justice put those manslaughter charges back in place, after the Court of Appeal had previously thrown them out.

 

Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee, Caribbean Court of Justice

“This court has considered both the written and oral submissions. And we have arrived at consensus, so all five of us agree on the order that will be made. One, the appeal is allowed. Two, the convictions of the two respondents are reinstated. Ms. Vidal, that would be the appropriate term.”

 

Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions

“I believe so, your Honor. Yes. Thank you. And the matter is remitted to the Court of appeal for the hearing and to and determination of the appeal by the crown on sentencing.”

 

The allegation against officers Nunez and King is a serious one: investigators say the pair brutally mistreated Sotz while he was being questioned. And today in court, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl‑Lynn Vidal, laid out exactly what evidence had been brought against the two officers in earlier proceedings, giving the judge a clear picture of the case that’s been building over time.

 

Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions

“There was a prisoner, another person in custody, Manuel Guerra, who was outside of that room. He could not see what was going on in the room, but his evidence was that he was able to hear what was happening, and he gave evidence of hearing bawling and please to stop, and a slapping sound, and then hearing everything go quiet. Shortly after he saw the victim Sotz, whom he had known before being taken out, appear unconscious by both of the respondents.”

 

Following their son’s death, Santorino and Carmelina Sotz demanded justice. Sotz had been picked up by police in connection with a series of burglaries on the island; offenses his mother, Carmelina, insisted he could not have committed.

 

Carmelina Sotz, Mother of Deceased (File Date: June 9^th, 2015)

“When di burglary happened da Sunday night.  My son neva mi deh pan di island.  He mih deh da Belmopan, yeah, because he go dah school da Belmopan Baptist High School.  He deh da second form and he neva mi deh pan di island when da thing happen.”

 

Three days after Sotz died, island residents marched in solidarity with his family, demanding justice. Then in 2016, outrage grew when charges against the officers were reduced from murder to manslaughter because prosecutors said they didn’t have enough evidence for a murder case. In 2019, the men were found guilty of the charge. This was later overturned at the Court of Appeal.  Vidal explains the grounds on which the appeal was made.

 

Cheryl-Lynn Vidal

“In the premises, we would allow Mr. Nunez appeal on the first and second grounds of appeal concerning the judge’s direction on intention. We would also allow Mr. King’s appeal on the fourth ground of appeal concerning the judge’s failure to exclude prejudicial evidence.”

Vidal flatly dismissed those arguments, and the Caribbean Court of Justice ultimately threw out the appeal. This means that King and Nunez will return to court to face the manslaughter charge, turning a new page on the Sotz’s lengthy battle for justice.

 

Carmelina Sotz (File Date: June 9^th, 2015)

“If I seh di police kill ahn maybe I di judge wrong, I noh know.  Ah wahn wait til I hayah what di docta dehn wahn seh then.  I noh know weh kill ahn.”

 

The case now returns to the Belize Court of Appeal for sentencing proceedings. Britney Gordon for News Five.