An appeal by fifty two year old Romero Jimenez, a naturalized Belizean originally from Guatemala, who was convicted of carnal knowledge and sentenced to seventeen years, was allowed today by Belize Court of Appeal.
The Court quashed Jimenez's conviction, set aside his sentence and ordered a retrial.
Jimenez's appeal succeeded on the ground that the trial judge failed to give a direction on good character.
The incident occurred on a date unknown in July 2008 in San Joaquin Village in Corozal.
According to the evidence, Romero Jimenez went to the home of a fourteen year old girl, as she was exiting the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her. The allegation is that HE followed her to her room, tied her hands, pushed her on the bed and raped her.
Jimenez, who was unrepresented at the trial said he was not at the house at the time of the incident.
Jimenez was convicted on July 21, 2010 and was sentenced on August 6.
Attorney Simeon Sampson represented Jimenez at the appeal and DPP Cheryl Lynn Vidal represented the respondent.
Email
Print