44 year-old Jose Aquino, a Honduran with permanent residency in Belize, is free of a sexual assault charge tonight after he was acquitted in the Magistrate’s Court.
Aquino stood trial in front of Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazer where his female accuser testified against him. That complainant, who was 9 years-old at the time, told the court that the incident happened on May 12th, 2013 in Belize City. She said that Aquino fondled her privates.
In his defense, Aquino denied the allegation under oath, and he said that his family and the family of his accuser had a dispute. He further alleged that as a result of that dispute between the 2 families, this child told lies on him, and falsely reported him to the police.
Chief Magistrate Frazer deliberated on the evidence in the case, and she returned today to explain that she has doubts as to whether or not the child was telling the truth. She noted that according to the law, whenever there are doubts, the benefit of those doubts must be given to the accused person. And so, she acquitted Aquino of sexual assault, setting him free.
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