On Friday night we got a call from a distressed mother that her son, Aaron Flowers had been beaten by a senior police officer while he was in custody at the Ladyville police station.
Aaron Flowers was wanted from March, for allegedly shooting up a cop's home in Lord's Bank. Well, police got him into custody on Friday - which is when - it is alleged - the cop whose house he is accused of shooting.
Inspector Christopher Martinez allegedly charged into his cell and beat up the 26 year old suspect.
That forced his father to launch into a Facebook tirade:
Father of Victim
"Sergeant Martinez went into Ladyville cellblock, lash my son. How did he got a key to get in that cellblock? because he is an inspector. He went in the cellblock, lash my son with a handcuff in his head."
"We ended up taking my son to the hospital. The police ended up taking him to the hospital. He claimed that my son shot up his house. How will you claim that a man shot up your house when you are driving behind him going to Belize City and moments after that they shot up your house? You are just chancey. You don't even know who shot your house."
"Now, there was a warrant out for him and they find him and now you will be bully enough to go into a cellblock and go lash my son in his head with a handcuff."
And today, the police told us that Inspector Martinez has since been criminally charged, and is awaiting internal charges as well.
ACP Hilberto Romero, OC, Eastern Division
"Aaron Flowers reported that he was detained at the Ladyville cellblock when he was approached by Inspector Christopher Martinez who approached him and inflicted a injury to his head. This is a report where Mr. Martinez previously made a report where his house had been shot at. This person was detained for questioning and then he entered the cellblock and caused injury to this person."
"Christopher Martinez has since been arrested and charged for the crime of wounding."
Reporter
"Were any efforts made by other officers to stop this police from entering a cellblock and injuring that man?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OC, Eastern Division
"Yes, as soon as they heard noises coming from the cell, the other officers who were present responded and he was removed from the cellblock."
Reporter
"Is he on interdiction right now?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OC, Eastern Division
"We are preparing a report and that will be determined sometime this week."
Reporter
"Did the 2 know each other?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OC, Eastern Division
"They know each other. They had confronted each other in the past."
And both men were in court today to answer to their respective charges. 26-year-old Aaron Flowers was charged with common assault, to which he pleaded not guilty. He is currently out on bail of $300.
Afterwards, 45-year-old Christopher Martinez, was arraigned on a single charge of wounding. He also pleaded not guilty and met bail of $1,500 plus one surety of the same amount. He is due back in court on August 9th.
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