Public Outcry Grows Over Christy Guzman Charge in Businessman’s Death

The charge against twenty-one-year-old Christy Guzman has stirred up a storm of debate across Belize, and it’s getting louder by the day. Guzman is facing a manslaughter charge in connection with the shooting death of Belmopan businessman Wilson Hernandez. But here’s the thing, many Belizeans are asking: Why manslaughter and not murder? On Tuesday, Guzman was arraigned in the Belmopan Magistrate’s Court after the Director of Public Prosecutions reviewed the police report and gave the go-ahead for manslaughter. But that decision is not sitting well with everyone. Some say the charge doesn’t reflect the seriousness of the incident.

Others are pointing fingers at Dalia Vellos, Hernandez’s common-law wife and Guzman’s aunt. They believe she should be facing charges too, because she allegedly handed her licensed firearm to Guzman just moments before the fatal shot was fired during a domestic dispute. And now, surveillance footage is adding fuel to the fire. It reportedly shows the gun being passed between the two women before the shooting. That’s raised even more eyebrows. This morning, UDP Leader Shyne Barrow weighed in, saying, “All of the lawyers I’ve spoken with say that is a conspiracy charge.” He also pointed out that Guzman was arraigned without handcuffs, sparking claims that Vellos may have connections to high-ranking police officials. Barrow didn’t mince words, adding, quote, All of the lawyers I’ve spoken with say that is a conspiracy charge. Some family members claim Ms. Vellos allegedly has connections to high-ranking police. We saw her niece being arraigned without handcuffs. No one is above the law. Based on the evidence presented thus far, I support the family’s call for Ms. Vellos to be charged with manslaughter conspiracy, end quote.