7 News Belize

Shyne Says He’s The Victim
posted (May 31, 2019)
Shyne Barrow is an aspiring UDP politician - but right now he's gone viral on facebook, not for the political work he's doing in Mesopotamia, but for his now very public beef with Bradley Roe, a member of one of Belize's leading families.

Their beef started three weeks ago at "Maxie's" - a trendy restaurant and lounge on the Phillip Goldson Highway - when the two had words. The 39 year old Barrow and the 29 year old Roe took it into the parking lot - and for the first time anywhere, tonight - you'll see what happened next. Jules Vasquez has the story:...

Jules Vasquez reporting
That's Shyne Barrow in white and Bradley Roe talking. Suddenly, almost out of nowhere, Roe strikes him across the face. Shyne doesn't react; they exchange a few more words and Shyne walks away.

Today, Barrow says it was not an easy decision to make:

Shyne Barrow, UDP Std. Bearer
"It was the most difficult decision that I've made in the last 15 years. I would have been justified to defend myself, but I had too much to lose. I saw everything flash before me and I felt that was the test. That was my test right there. I've always say that I've change. I've always say that I am rehabilitated. Well that was the test and when he did that I stop and I thought about 20 years ago when I felt threatened and I handle things differently. I handle thing like a 19 year old, a 20 year old would and I reacted and it was the worst mistake that I've ever made and had I repeated that mistake would have been worst that anything that is happening now. I had to make a decision that night. Am I Shyne that everyone likes to run me down and say that something that happened 20 years ago still defines me. I had to make that decision> Am I still that young man that reacts and allows his anger to take control?"

He walked away and went to the police station and made this report and complaint. It resulted in Bradley Roe being arrested and charged for harm. But Shyne dropped the charge when it went to court:

Shyne Barrow, UDP Std. Bearer
"You know when he was arraigned after all that I have been through in 20 years I just felt that the same way I am asking society to give me a second chance and to look past my youthful transgression that it would be hypocritical of me somewhat to proceed and put someone through what I was put through, whether or not he is wrong and he made a terrible judgement call. So I said you know what I'm going to withdraw the charges, I made a mistake when I was 20 years old, hopefully he will learn and moved on."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Often times when someone withdraw a charge is because they have reached an understanding or a settlement. There is nothing wrong with settlement."

Shyne Barrow, UDP Std. Bearer
"There was no consideration. Again, it was something that I did on my own volition due to my history."

But, the goodwill ended a week later when this happened. Shyne had a welcome party for the dancehall artist Popcaan at the same Northern Shops when he says Bradley Roe showed up.

This is him arguing with the owner to get Roe gone:

Shyne Barrow, UDP Std. Bearer
"So when I saw him at an event that I was having a few weeks later, I instructed for Mr. Bradley Roe to be removed from the event for the safety and security of everyone including myself and there was some difficulty doing that, because he was allegedly with the owner of the establishment and so I got involved to let the owner know and to let him know that the owner knows what happened, the owner saw the video of what he did to me and I felt that it was a bad judgement to have him there, given the circumstances. If you see the back and forth, I am not hurling any obscenities, I am not threatening anyone."

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"You are pointing. He thinks its assault."

Shyne Barrow, UDP Std. Bearer
"No, it's not. In what?"

Jules Vasquez
"Pointing is assault. You don't have to physically make contact. So but you are there making your point emphatically and pointing, but you are saying the point you are making is?"

Shyne Barrow, UDP Std. Bearer
"That he should not be at my event and that he needs to be removed."

The events of that night have resulted in this highly unusual lawyer letter from Roe's attorney to the Commissioner of Police - basically telling the Compol to reign in Shyne - who is allegedly menacing Roe:

Shyne Barrow, UDP Std. Bearer
"This letter that Bryan Neal wrote is all smokes and mirrors and entitlement and that's the same entitlement that lead the young man to strike me."

Jules Vasquez
"It says that known gang figures that were socializing with Mr. Barrow on the same night followed my client to the parking lot making him fearful of serious bodily harm."

Shyne Barrow, UDP Std. Bearer
"So now I am responsible for what Tom, Harry and John does? 2) What proof is there that I was socializing with anyone? So then tell them provide the video of me rolling with whomever. I have the video of myself being assaulted."

And that's what Barrow is sticking by - that he's the victim. And while that may be a hard sell - the real question is - why is he even caught up in all this?:

Jules Vasquez
"But I am asking Shyne, you can't afford to get caught up in a petty dispute."

Shyne Barrow, UDP Std. Bearer
"But Jules don't say that it's petty. Someone assaulting a citizen is not a petty thing and it can't be brushed away like that. That's a serious thing."

Jules Vasquez
"But you are the one brushing it away by not pressing charges."

Shyne Barrow, UDP Std. Bearer
"I didn't brush it away. I explained why I did it. I explained I am haunted by the mistake that I made 20 years ago."

Jules Vasuez
"But he has nothing to lose in the public eye. You have a whole lot to lose. This is my point. You are a national figure."

Shyne Barrow, UDP Std. Bearer
"But listen, I am not Marconi Neal, who when he was being insulted m assaulted the civilian and he is the standard bearer for brother Castro's Belize Rural North, right. So again, damn if you do, damn if you dont."

We note that Bradley Roe's attorney Bryan Neal alleges that Shyne assaulted his client on May 11 and May 24th - and that it was, quote "caught on video."

We are reliably informed that Roe is now seeking to sue Shyne for defamation - based on a facebook post which Shyne made about him. Both parties are now asking the other for a public apology.

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