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Back In June of 2015, the breezy island of Caye Caulker erupted into protest after residents learned that 18 year-old Hilberto Sotz, a high school student, died while in detention at the island’s police station. 2 constables, 35 year-old Hallet King, and Leonard Nunez, were arrested and charged with manslaughter, and at this time, they are on trial before Justice Colin Williams. 

As we reported, Sotz died in the holding cell, while he was being detained for questioning about a burglary. He was allegedly brutalized by both officers, and he died from a heart attack, which resulted from being beaten in the head.

Well, the trail for the two cops is underway and so, far a jury of 8 women and 1 man have heard testimony from 4 prosecution witnesses.

One of the witnesses is Saturino Sotz, the father of the deceased. He testified that his son was with him in his taxi, when he was detained by the two cops who dragged his son to the police station. Sotz said that at about 5 p.m. he was told that his son had died. 

Saturino's wife, Carmelita Sotz, the mother of the deceased, testified that her son could not have been involved in the burglary because it had occurred on July 14, 2015. She said that her son did not come from Belmopan to Caye Caulker until the following day.

Two other witnesses were called and the Crown has indicated that it has other witnesses it intends to call, but none of them are eye witnesses, and the evidence in the case is circumstantial. 

Initially, Nunez and King were charged with murder but that charge was downgraded to manslaughter. King is being represented by attorney Herbert Panton, while Nunez is being represented by attorney Oscar Selgado. Yesterday, when Nunez and King appeared in court they were told that their case has been adjourned until Thursday, June 27.