Last week, we told you about the latest developments in the murder trial without jury of William "Danny" Mason and his 4 co-defendants: Ashton Vanegas, Keron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Castillo. They are accused of the beheading murder of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas.
The trial resumed last week Tuesday, with an important inquiry into an alleged confession statement from Ernest Castillo. He allegedly told police that he allegedly committed the heinous crime against Pastor Lucas. That inquiry took place during a trial within this trial, which occurred privately, where only the accused, their attorneys, the judge, the prosecution, and the police officers assigned to the Belmopan Supreme Court could listen.
During that session, DPP Cheryl-Lynn Vidal called several witnesses to testify about the details surrounding this alleged confession statement from Castillo.
This part of the trial lasted all of last week, and most of this week, until today, when Justice Antoinette Moore returned with a judgment. She has ruled the alleged confession statement CANNOT be a be admitted into evidence for the prosecution because it was taken from Castillo under duress.
So, the DPP will have to rely on other evidence to prove her case against these defendants. After the ruling, our colleagues from Plus TV News got a chance to speak with Mason's Guyanese attorney, Dexter Todd, about the outcome. Here's what he had to say:
The trial resumes on Monday in Belize City, where certain witnesses will give evidence via teleconference.
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