After waiting on remand at the Belize Central Prison over 7 and a half years, accused murderers Milton Maza and Eli Avila will finally stand trial tomorrow for the double murders of attorney Richard Stuart, and his wife Maria. Police say that back in October of 2010, these men brutally stabbed the couple to death at their home in West Landivar, Belize City. One of them was a former employee of the Stuart’s.
The trial without jury was set to begin today, but due to a blackout, Justice Colin Williams had to adjourn it to tomorrow. Both men are being represented by 2 court-appointed attorneys, Leeroy Banner, and Oscar Selgado. Reports suggest that part of the delay for these men standing trial is that no attorney wanted to represent them - since they are accused of killing one of their colleagues.
The double murder of Richard Stuart and his wife was truly shocking when it hit the news back in October 2010. The couple returned from a night out, and they were ambushed as soon as they entered their front door. A post mortem indicated that the two were stabbed more than 20 times while their children were asleep in their bedrooms.
Their housekeeper heard the commotion, and she locked herself and the couple’s youngest son inside a walk-in closet, while she called 911 for police emergency.
Crown Counsels Killeru Awch and Rene Montero intend to rely on testimonies from more than 18 witnesses against the 2 accused. Notably, there are no eye witnesses and the evidence the Crown intends to present will be purely circumstantial. The Crown will also rely on a caution statement given by Maza in which he blamed Avila for the murders.
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