On Friday's news, we told you how Justice Antoinette Moore refused to admit a confession statement as evidence for the prosecution in the murder trial of William "Danny" Mason, Ashton Vanegas, Keron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Castillo.
The judge ruled at the end of a trial within a trial last week that the alleged confession statement that police say Ernest Castillo gave them, cannot be used in the case because it was taken from him under duress.
Well, the trial resumed today in Belize City, and the prosecution, led by DPP Cheryl-Lynn Vidal moved on with their case against the men.
Vidal called the scenes of crime technician who went on the scene of Pastor Lucas' decapitated head, which was found at the back of William Mason's pickup truck. He took all the evidence from that scene, and he was also the official who photographed the accused persons, collected their clothing, and took swabs of evidence to send abroad for forensic testing. He also accompanied the cops to Mason's ranch at mile 31 on the George Price Highway, where they searched for all possible evidence that they could use in their attempts to prove that Mason and his employees killed Pastor Lucas.
As you will have noticed, this witness's testimony is very important to the prosecution's case, and today, he spent hours testifying, and there were even portions where he unsealed some of the evidence for the court to see for themselves.
Today's hearing ended at around 5:30 p.m. this evening, where Baja Shoman, attorney for Ernest Castillo, was vigorously challenging the witness in cross-examination.
When the case ended this evening, we got a chance to speak with 2 of the defense attorney's about this important prosecution witness. Here's what they told us:
Norman Rodriguez, Attorney for Ashton Vanegas
"Well the forensic witness came to give evidence and the crown attempted to get in some of the forensic evidence as to this trial."
Reporter
"Is he the main witness that the crown has intended to use to get most of the exhibits before the court?"
Norman Rodriguez, Attorney for Ashton Vanegas
"Well you will know that they still have the FBI evidence the crown will try to get in but yes, Mr. Barrington Montero is definitely one of the key witnesses."
Reporter
"Do you intent to challenge any of the evidence he has provided against your client?"
Norman Rodriguez, Attorney for Ashton Vanegas
"I will challenge the evidence or at least under cross I will attempt to discredit the witness as we are supposed to do as attorneys, though it will not affect my client much the evidence that was given today."
Bryan Neal, Attorney for Keiron Fernandez
"There are some discrepancies that are open to challenge. I will decide tonight what my strategy is in respect of my client."
Reporter
"Does any of the evidence directly affect your client as far as you are aware?"
Bryan Neal
"In a sense, yes. But I have to look at it to determine what way it does. There are some discrepancies that I see in how the evidence was collected."
The case resumes tomorrow with this same prosecution witness, and the defense attorneys will each get their opportunity to challenge his evidence as they see. fit.
Email
Print