William "Danny" Mason was back in court today for the start of his retrial for kidnapping. Mason and Ryan Rhaburn were indicted to stand trial for kidnapping and blackmail. This is after the last proceedings in Belmopan was declared a mistrial at the end of July.

Mason - who had no attorney today - told the new Judge, Justice Nigel Pilgrim he was not aware of a retrial order. And his attorney Hubert Elrington is ill and in recovery and it is possible that Mason will have to seek a new attorney. So he asked the court for 30 days to prepare himself.

Simeon Sampson was there representing Ryan Rhaburn.

The case was adjourned to October 17, 2024.

Rhaburn remains out on bail and Mason was returned to the prison where he is serving a life sentence for the murder of Pastor Llewelyn Lucas. Today Mason was delivered to the court - as he always is - by a well armed Gi3 special escort.

Mason and Rhaburn are on trial charged with two counts of Kidnapping of a Mennonite couple, Lloyd and Rosey Friessen which is alleged to have occurred on May 31, 2016. After he allegedly kidnapped them, Mason is said to have demanded that Lloyd Friessen pay him $2,500 dollars weekly for protection.