7 News Belize

Cops Release Main Suspect in San Pedro Double Murder
posted (July 1, 2019)
Today's briefing gave the press a chance to ask police about all the suspects they had detained in the double murders of the island tour guide Mario Graniel, and his guest, American doctor Gary Swank.

As we told you last week, their main suspect, Christian Espat turned himself in on Thursday, after making a pre-emptive strike on Facebook to declare his innocence. His attorney said that he was in Benque Viejo Town when the murders happened on June 23rd.

Police told us they questioned and released him:...

ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB
"In relation to the San Pedro murder investigation, the police had, over the past few days, detained and interviewed several persons. We were looking for one specific person who we believe can assist us in the investigation. That person came into the police's custody on Friday last, where he was interviewed in the presence of his attorney. Certain information was taken from him. There was not any sufficient evidence to detain him otherwise, so he was released. Subsequently, on Saturday, the home of one of those persons whom the person was seeking was also searched. His vessel was impounded for processing, and he is still in custody at this point in time, in the ongoing investigation."

Reporter
"Mr. Myvette, is the Federal Bureau of Investigation still engaged in this investigation?"

ACP Joseph Myvette
"Yes, they are."

Reporter
"Presently in Belize?"

ACP Joseph Myvette
"Yes, they are."

Reporter
"Sir, do you feel that your investigators are getting anywhere closer to solving this double murder? Or do you all feel that the leads aren't aiding you as you would hope?"

ACP Joseph Myvette
"I would not go into the details, other than to say that investigation is progressing, and certain evidence has been had from some of those leads."

Sources tell us the FBI is assisting with evidence which was trawled up from the sea bed in the lagoon where the murder happened. We should note that Mario Graniel and Christian Espat were once friends and associates, and have a female friend in common who has also been questioned and released. Sources also say that Graniel had changed some details in his will just before he was killed.

Edward Broaster, the Deputy Commissioner in charge of operations and crime, also took a few questions from the press about what the department is doing to try and rebuild public confidence in police's ability to keep residents and visitors of San Pedro safe. You heard how some of the residents challenged his police boss, Chester Williams at last week's public meeting. He said that residents should expect to see increased police presence on the island:

ACP Edward Broaster - Deputy ComPol, Ops and Crime
"We have deployed additional officers to San Pedro, in an effort to interdict some of the criminal elements on that island. Over the weekend, we have seized 2 firearms, and a number individuals were arrested, and a number of drugs have been confiscated as well. So, we will continue that operation on the island. There will be additional support, in terms of officers being placed on the island, to ensure that we try as best as possible to mitigate any criminal act that will affect the economy of the island or the citizenry on that island as well."

Reporter
"On social media and in certain quarters of the society, it has been said that whenever it is that incidents such as these would happen on San Pedro, Caye Caulker, or one of the tourist destinations in the country, the police are quick to pull out their resources to solve these crimes, but the same urgency is not given to other murders of other citizens of the country. What do you say to that?"

ACP Edward Broaster
"That is not true, and you all can attest to the fact that you've had local murders where the commissioner of police had expended all resources and effort to investigate those murders. And I can specifically talk about the triple murder in Hattieville and the Swallow Caye 5. We have a lot of resources being expended to investigate those murders. So, that is not the case."

Police are hiring 12 special constables just for the north of the island and have also announced a new intake of 170 police officers.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize