7 News Belize

The BSAG 8 Get Free After Historic Murder Charge
posted (September 26, 2018)
In February, it made national headlines when 8 lawmen - 7 BDF soldiers and 1 police officer - all members of the Belize Special Assignment Group - were charged for the murder and attempted murder in Orange Walk. The accused were 21 year-old Bladimir Escaraga, a resident of San Jose Village; 23 year-old Francis Sho, a resident of Belmopan; 31 year-old Patrick Villagran Sr., a resident of Ladyville; 26 year-old Edmar Petillo, a resident of Carmelita Village; 26 year-old Patrick Diego; a resident of Pomona Village; 28 year-old Mateo Bolon, a resident of Jalacte, Toledo; 33 year-old Elvis Cobb, a resident of San Victor Village, and 29 year-old Lennart Cajun.

That was history - as all 8 were sent to jail on remand. Well, tonight they are free men after Senior Magistrate Michelle Arana threw the case out. The case was supposed to go to a preliminary inquiry today, but the case file wasn't ready. The senior Magistrate refused to grant an adjournment - and set the men free.

Today, the Deputy Commissioner of Police Chester Williams - who pushed for the historic arrest - told us that the file was just returned from the DPP's office yesterday with directives for the police to complete it by following up on some information. He said with that the police could not present an incomplete file today.

But, the lawmen won't be free for long. Deputy Compol Williams told us the sergeant, 2 corporals and 4 privates, along with a police constable will be re-arrested and charged, shortly.

They are accused of killing Ariel Salazar and the attempted murder of Oscar Payes. They stormed into the men's home - in a dispute over a cell phone.

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