Fisherman Charged With Murder

Police have formally charged a fisherman with the murder of Jose Luis Arteaga, a day after News Five reported conflicting accounts of what happened aboard a fishing vessel near Ranguana Caye.

Police say thirty-three-year-old Mauri Julian Gomez fatally stabbed Arteaga on August 12th. Gomez was also charged with the wounding of Marvin Arteaga, Jose’s relative, who remains hospitalised in stable condition.

Police say the violence followed an altercation among fishermen aboard the vessel. But Arteaga’s family firmly rejects that account. Speaking to News Five, Jose Arteaga’s niece said there was no dispute at all leading up to the stabbing. “There wasn’t any dispute. They were all happy, stated by the other coworkers. The man who did it was under the influence. Jose just had finished wash his diving clothes when the man grab and threw it, then Jose turn to pick it up, then he just stab him from the behind. Also stab Marvin while sleeping in the bottom of his heart.”

The niece said other crew members aboard the vessel stepped in to restrain Gomez following the attack.

She described her uncle as a devoted father of five who had no conflict with anyone on the trip.

“He was a loving father. He very responsible. He loved by many and he do all bout he pikni ney. He go all out fi his kids, he five kids. They no mi di argue, they no mi di fight. He mi di do his own thing and the man just come from behind and stab ah.”