He is accused of masterminding a murder to avenge the loss of his ex-girlfriend and then jumping on a plane enroute to Los Angeles the next day. Well 24-year-old Ronnel Gonzalez ran, but he couldn't hide and tonight he is back in Belize and in a jail cell. Gonzalez is one of four men charged for killing David Daniel Pook sometime over the weekend of August 26th. Pook's body was found on the compound of Bingo King on the morning of August 28th, but by that time Gonzalez was already in Los Angeles. He apparently sought refuge at a relative's house in L.A. and it is there that the LAPD tracked him down and detained him until last night. Keith Swift picks up the story at the Phillip Goldson International Airport.

Keith Swift Reporting,
This morning 24-year-old Ronnel Gonzalez emerged from his 2-hour flight from Houston calm and composed. Gonzalez was the last to leave the Continental plane and he was escorted by Inspector Dawson and Constable Sanchez who traveled to Houston last night to pick him up.

Waiting at the steps of the plane for the accused murderer was CIB boss Superintendent Chester Williams and Corporal Palomo who immediately placed handcuffs on Gonzalez. He was then escorted to the arrival lounge where he was fast-tracked through Immigration and Customs. It was in there that Gonzalez would meet his lawyer Simeon Sampson and his father. Police Press Officer G. Michael Reid says Ronnel waived extradition hearings.

G. Michael Reid,
"This morning we came to the airport to welcome home an individual who is wanted in a murder of David Pook which occurred on the 28th of August. This individual, as far as we understood it, went to L.A. the day after the murder. We got information as to where he was in L.A., we passed it on to the American Embassy in Belize, who passed on the information to our counterparts in Los Angeles and he was picked up just about a day or so after he arrived.

It was done relatively quickly when you consider the way things are done involving such situations and in fact he had waived his extradition right so it could have taken much longer actually."

Keith Swift,
He agreed to come back to Belize?

G. Michael Reid,
"Yes he did."

By this afternoon Ronnel had changed clothes but he was visibly disturbed as he was escorted to his arraignment at Magistrate's Court. Ronnel is charged along with three other men for the murder of David Pook. Police say Ronnel was the mastermind and they say he killed Pook over a girl.

G. Michael Reid,
"He is alleged to be yes, the individual that this entire episode circled around. He will face murder charges and join two other individuals who were also charged for murder in the same incident. We are still looking for one other individual. We are not clear as to his positive identity but we believe that Mr. Gonzalez might be able to help us or pretty soon we will get more information to lead us to his arrest also."

Gonzalez appeared in court this afternoon alongside his attorney - senior counsel Simeon Sampson.

Simeon Sampson, Gonzalez's Attorney
"I see two charges here; one for murder and one for conspiracy to murder along with Clarence Grant and a Edward Henry and another. And unless I see disclosure, which we are constitutionally entitled to, that is the evidence, for me to examine, it is then and only then I'll be able to have a feel of the case. As of yet I know absolutely nothing about the case and it is only now I will take an interest in investigating what is the evidence now that he has been arraigned."

Keith Swift,
Have you spoken to your client?

Simeon Sampson,
"Well there is nothing to talk about yet. Absolutely nothing."

Gonzalez was denied bail and he now joins Edward Henry and Clarence Grant who were charged shortly after the murder.

All three accused are due back in court on November 1st. The search continues for the fourth suspect who has already been charged on the indictment presented in court.

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