On Friday's news, we told you about the bizarre case of 50 year-old Jose Villanueva, a Belize City Businessman who was shot and killed at his common-law wife's home on East Collet Canal. His next door neighbor, 57 year-old Manuel Pacheco, was the one who pulled the trigger, and tonight, he's at the Belize Central Prison on a murder charge.
Villanueva and Pacheco, the well-known jeweler who owns Pacheco's and Sons Jewelry, had some sort of disagreement. The two had a history of disputes. And on Thursday, Pacheco pulled out his licensed weapon, and he shot Villanueva to the abdomen and the arm. Villanueva died shortly after.
Police detained Pacheco on the scene, and he was arrested and charged with murder over the weekend. He was arraigned today before Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazer, and after the court hearing, we spoke to his attorney, Richard "Dickie" Bradley. Here's what Bradley had to say about the police case against his client, and why his family believes that manslaughter would have been a more appropriate charge:
Richard "Dickie" Bradley, Attorney for the Defence
"The charge is one of capital offence. Magistrate courts in Belize are not allowed under the crime control law and ancient tradition, not to grant bail. Unless of course there was an admittance by the police that they have not had any kind of information. So Mr. Pacheco most unfortunately has been remanded until August, out of a matter by which by now you would have done the rounds and found out that an unfortunate argument escalated and he felt he had in the circumstances no choice but to resort to protecting himself by his licensed firearm. I think the Amandala news story carries the accurate portrayal of the situation that here is an incident in which one man goes to prison, another goes to the cemetery and the families of course are going to left to be left to pick up the pieces for a long time."
Daniel Ortiz, reporter
"What sort of facts at least in the summary phase right now are police saying that they have against the client?"
Richard "Dickie" Bradley, Attorney for the Defence
"I will read for you what they says 'surveillance footage was viewed and obtained.' which is not saying anything. It doesn't say that on the surveillance camera information is enough for us to have brought a charge. They say that they have recorded a statement from an eyewitness, but my information from the family members is in fact eyewitnesses on behalf of Pacheco has not even been approached for a statement."
Daniel Ortiz, reporter
"The family of the victim has asserted strongly that they don't believe in any way that Mr. Villanueva threatened Mr. Pacheco's life for him to have resorted to the use of his licensed firearm. Do you care to make any responding comment?"
Richard "Dickie" Bradley, Attorney for the Defence
"Yes, I will say that fortunately in our justice system, the facts will be brought to court and we will all get an opportunity to hear exactly what transpired as best we can from witnesses from both sides. But certainly we are of the view that the charge of murder is a bit excessive in the circumstances. He ought to have been charged for manslaughter and granted bail, but time will take care of that matter."
No plea is taken in murder arraignments, and no bail is granted because it is a capital offense, he cannot get bail. She remanded him to prison until the next adjournment date, which is scheduled for August 9. Typically, and even In the most expeditious of cases, accused murderers serve at a minimum two years on remand - many times more than that.
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