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Lusby Martinez Charged for Grenade Blast
posted (January 4, 2010)

The good news tonight is that there were no homicides reported over the New Year’s Day weekend – a sign that Thursday’s unofficial truce/cessation of hostilities between rival gangs in Belize City may be holding. The final murder count for 2009 is 94 – four less than the previous year which means that Belize’s murder rate is 32 per one hundred thousand – two less than the previous year’s number. That’s still one of the highest in the Caribbean and there’s no reason for celebration – particularly after a teenager was killed with a grenade last week.

14 year old Rudolph Flowers was killed while 28 year old Leon Williams and 32 year old Kenneth Barrow were injured. It happened on Monday night when a grenade was thrown into a crowded yard at the corner of Haynes Street and Kraal Road. This morning – one week later - police took the man who allegedly threw that grenade to court. He is 25 year old Lusby Martinez, a resident of Pelican Street, who is a known affiliate of George Street. He told Chief Magistrate Margaret McKenzie he is a baker but police say he is a killer. We were at the court house for his arraignment.

Keith Swift Reporting,
This is the grenade suspect - 25 year old Lusby Martinez. This morning he was charged with one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and two counts of deadly means of harm. His sisters say he was framed.

Isabella Pratt, Sister
“My brother is not nobody like that. He doesn’t do this, no Jesus Christ at all. He is not that kind of person none at all.”

Criselda Castillo, Sister of Accused
“I think as what the media said, they just wanted to find somebody before the new year and I think that was exactly was done. They just wanted to frame somebody for this. They had to find somebody before the New Year and I think it is the wrong man they have and I know the Police Department knows that for a fact. I know they know that.”

His sisters say they are sure Lusby is innocent because he has no gang affiliations and is religious.

Keith Swift,
“How are you so sure he is innocent, why are you so sure?”

Criselda Castillo,
“I am sure because he doesn’t hang out, he doesn’t do no gang banging. He is into his religion, he doesn’t do those kinds of things. I know he is innocent.”

Keith Swift,
“Where was he on the Monday night of the attack, was he home?”

Criselda Castillo,
“He was with a friend, an ageable person, not a young person.”

Keith Swift,
“So he is not in a gang, he is not affiliated with George Street?”

Criselda Castillo,
“No, no. He is not with no gang.”

Keith Swift,
“Again people at home will say how are you so sure that he didn’t do it.”

Isabella Pratt,
“He doesn’t have that kind of heart none at all. He doesn’t go out there looking for trouble. My brother has never been in nothing fight, nothing like war, nothing like nothing at all. Absolutely nothing.”

Despite what the family says, Lusby Martinez was charged on direction of DPP Cheryl Lynn Vidal who told us she “reviewed the statement of the main witness and is satisfied that there is enough evidence – albeit circumstantial” to charge Martinez. Police don’t believe he acted alone and additional persons may be charge.

The murder charge is for 14 year old Rudolph Flowers who was buried over the weekend. The attempted murder and use of deadly means of harm charges are for the injuries to Leon Williams and Kenneth Barrow. Lusby Martinez appeared in court undefended. No plea was taken and he was remanded to the Hattieville Prison until February fourth.

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