Convicted San Pedro Teacher Seeks Bail Pending Appeal

A month after his conviction on two counts of sexual assault, San Pedro teacher Alex Jason Noralez is back before the courts, this time fighting to remain out of prison while he challenges the verdict. The forty-seven‑year‑old educator, who has spent more than two decades in the classroom, is now seeking a stay of execution and bail as his attorney, Richard “Dickie” Bradley, argues that the case against him may not hold up on appeal. This morning’s hearing took an unexpected turn when the Chief Magistrate ordered the proceeding closed to the media, forcing court reporter Anita Nembhard to wait outside while the application was argued in private. Afterward, Bradley said every Belizean has a constitutional right to appeal and insisted that Noralez has ‘strong prospects’ of overturning the guilty counts, especially as he was acquitted on a third charge involving another student. Noralez’s family is also pressing the court to consider his health issues while the Crown, led by a police prosecutor, urged the Chief Magistrate to proceed cautiously before granting bail. A ruling is expected on March twenty-fourth, when the court decides whether Noralez will remain behind bars or be released pending his appeal.

 

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