Officers Found Guilty of “Fabricating Statements” in Jesse Escobar Shooting

Two law enforcement officers have been convicted of perverting the course of justice in connection with the 2021 killing of off-duty BDF soldier Jessie Escobar.

BDF Private Ramon Alcoser and Police Corporal Juan Carlos Morales were found guilty after a magistrate ruled that their statements about the fatal shooting were “entirely fabricated.”

The video evidence from the Branch Mouth Stop & Shop Store in Santa Familia clearly showed that Escobar did not behave aggressively or attempt to disarm the officer who shot him.

Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl-Lynn Vidal called the verdict “an extremely important decision.

Vidal explained that the magistrate rejected the defence’s claim that the officers were too “tired” and “hungry” to give proper statements.

“The recording showed very clearly that Jesse never reached out and grabbed anyone’s gun. It showed very clearly that he was not behaving in any aggressive manner towards the person who eventually shot him,” she said.

The DPP said the conviction is a warning to officers who distort the truth. “I believe it’s a warning to law enforcement that moving forward they should stop and think before they try to fabricate. We’re not saying that this is done routinely, but I’m certain that it has happened in the past. Perhaps this is a warning that it should not happen in the future.”

Both men have been remanded until sentencing next month.