The murder trial of William "Danny" Mason, Ashton Vanegas, Keron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Castillo finally resumed today in Belmopan before Justice Antoinette Moore.
It had been on pause for several weeks while the court waited to hear from a witness who was an employee of the US Embassy. The court had to go through the diplomatic channels to get that written statement which was tendered into evidence this morning.
The witness, who is a US Federal Agent, says that Belize police contacted him to assist with a US national who was the victim of a crime in Belize. That was David Dodd - who has testified via Skype that he accompanied Pastor Lucas and another man to Mason's Intelco Hill Home on the day that Pastor Lue was decapitated.
Dodd's testimony was that he was then kidnapped, taken to Mason's Outback Ranch and released with only a warning.
The Special Agent said that's how he met Mason, who was already in detention for Pastor Lucas' murder. Mason also asked to speak with someone from the US Embassy.
The Special Agent said in his written statement that Mason identified himself as Rajesh Oulette, a Guyanese national who came to Belize under an assumed identity and that principally, he was a businessman and an entrepreneur.
According to the Agent, Mason then said that he was in fear of his life because allegedly, John Saldivar, the Minister of National Security, was attempting to frame him. The US Agent said that he advised Mason to get an attorney - and that was the last time they communicated.
Now, there are two key revelations from this defence witness. First, that Danny Mason is - as has been reported - actually a Guyanese national by the name of Rajesh Ouellet.
Second, Mason told the US Federal Agent that John Saldivar was attempting to frame him. It's carries an explosive air, but it's not really new, - and in 2016, Saldivar said, quote, "I know that the end of the day nothing can be unearthed that will suggest that I have done anything untoward with this gentleman" end quote.
But, still, this disclosure in the trial today comes at a bad time for Saldivar, because he's currently aspiring to be UDP Leader. The agent did not say whether he felt it was a credible allegation or not, he just said that's what Mason told him - a statement that is likely to resonate in the weeks to come.
Going back to the trial now, there is only one outstanding issue before each of the attorneys make their closing arguments. Baja Shoman, the defense attorney for Ernest Castillo, has asked for a piece of photographic evidence to be admitted into evidence on his behalf.
That is supposed to take place tomorrow, and shortly after that, the attorneys will go straight into making their closing arguments one by one. It is estimated that this blockbuster trial could fully conclude by Friday, the latest.
When today's hearing was adjourned this afternoon, we spoke with defense counsel Norman Rodriguez for a quick reaction:
Norman Rodriguez - Attorney for Ashton Vanegas
"The bottom line is that all defense counsels and the defendants have closed their cases. So, we're going into the closing submissions now. The 5th defendant closed his case this morning by getting in the statement with certain amendments from the only witness it has called. There was a discussion about that, and it ended up that with a few amendments, they accepted that. Secondly, the issue of the pictures that some defense counsels wanted to get in. The court had declared firstly that DVD or the CD with the pictures had to go in, in full, but eventually, it allowed the counsels - the crown and the defense - to come together and look at what pictures are irrelevant. Those are being removed, and new DVDs or CD's will be returned to us tomorrow morning. So, we have adjourned until 10 in the morning, at which time the case will continue into its closing, it's final stages."
Reporter
"So, what do you - if you would hazard a comment - what do you make of the statement from the witness for the 5th defendant. Does it help, or hurt his case, in your opinion?"
Norman Rodriguez
"Well, it was the 5th defendant who asked for this to be tendered to the court, so naturally, with those good counsels - those very learned counsels - it will be beneficial to them."
The case continues tomorrow at 10.
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