Three brothers: 30 year-old Michael Pook, 29 year-old Ryan Pook, and 26 year-old Adrian Pook, are out on bail for the first time in over 7 years and 9 months of remand at the Belize Central Prison. They were tried for murder 3 years ago before Justice Troadio Gonzalez in a trial without jury, but he retired and never delivered his decision. So, the accused were left in limbo, waiting for a verdict on whether they killed Errol Lighter Ferguson.
Attorneys Leeroy Banner and Leslie Mendez presented bail petitions today on behalf of the Pook brothers before Justice Colin Williams. They focused on the nearly 8 years that the brothers have spent in prison, 3 of which have been due to this pending verdict.
After hearing from the defense attorneys and Crown Counsel Riis Cattouse, Justice Williams decided to offer them bail of $25,000 each. They must report to the Mahogany Street Police Station every Wednesday; they must attend court whenever they are ordered to do so; they cannot leave the country without express permission of the court; and they cannot get arrested and charge for any indictable offenses.
All 3 Pook brothers were charged, arraigned and remanded back in May 2011 for Ferguson's murder. It was alleged that they had a misunderstanding with the taxi driver over a stolen car battery. Ferguson accused them of stealing it, and the dispute escalated to the point where the brothers allegedly assaulted him with a machete and knife, inflicting injuries which led to his death shortly after the confrontation.
Email
Print