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Important Note: This Internet version of 7 News is a verbatum
transcript of our evening television news script. Many interviews on our newscast
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All The Big Legal Guns Drawn In High Court Compulsory Acquisition Case (posted on Thu Dec 19, 2024)
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It was a big day in the High Court of Justice Rajiv Goonetilleke - as all sides of the Stake Bank dispute gathered to argue the constitutionality of the compulsory acquisition of 23.4 acres of the island. As we have reported, government is compulsorily acquiring the island for the public purpose of developing a cruise port with a berthing facility. But the disputed acreage - currently owned by developer Mike Feinstein - will end up in the hands of his former partners, OPSA, which is a Honduran company.
It's an arrangement ripe for disputation and today attorneys including Godfrey Smith, Eamon Courtenay, Dean Barrow, William Lindo, Magali Marin Young, along with a top Trinidadian attorney and all their juniors gathered in court, and appeared virtually to argue the constitutionality of the acquisition.
They made their arguments all day, and at newstime, Eamon Courtenay was presenting for OPSA, with Godfrey Smith for Mike Feinstein still left to respond.
Arguments are not likely to conclude until after 7:00 tonight.
A decision is then expected some time in January. Until the matter is settled the compulsory acquisition which was initiated in August cannot be completed - and the project remains in limbo.
He Admitted To Robbing Breda O's But Killing Him (posted on Thu Dec 19, 2024)
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In July of 2020, well loved and self made pizza parlor owner Oren Velasquez was killed for a few hundred dollars inside his Bredda O's Pizza parlor in Ladyville.
The, the man accused of killing him, 23 year old Lincoln Daniel Diaz, was acquitted of the murder.
This is how he looked as he bounced out of court this morning - free for the first time in four and a half years:
So how did he get off? In the trial without jury, Justice Candace Nanton ruled that she was not sure beyond a reasonable doubt of his guilt for murder or manslaughter.
In a dock statement Diaz he went there to rob Velasquez, that was the plan and he never shot anyone. The prosecution could not establish to the judge's satisfaction that he acted in a joint enterprise with another to kill Velasquez.
The real shooter - a man of east Indian descent - has never been identified.
Family Four Left Homeless And Fireman Injured In City Blaze (posted on Thu Dec 19, 2024)
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Tonight, a family of four is homeless after a residential fire in the Port Loyola Area.
Additionally a fireman is in the hospital under observation after he experienced an electric shock at the fire scene.
The fire consumed an entire wooden and zinc structure where the family of four had been living.
Jomarie Lanza arrived at the scene before the blaze was extinguished and here's what she learned from the homeowner and fire victim.
This is footage captured before the fire trucks arrived - when this two story structure was in free burn, with its flames reaching up into the sky.
The Lamb family home has been a fixture in this neighborhood for decades, but this morning nothing could be done to stop it from burning to the ground.
And so, only two months after burying their mother, the Lamb family is faced with yet another tragedy of losing the family home that they grew up in here on Boots Crescent.
Kenmore Lamb, the owner of the house, had arrived just before the fire consumed not only the wooden structure but also his personal vehicle that was still parked in the yard. Unfortunately nothing else could be saved.
Kenmore Lamb, Fire Victim
"This house is a family house. It has been there for decades. My brothers and I moved out from the house. I was the only one still living here still around and thing. It's a family house and has been decades we moved in and got this house in the late 80s, probably 1990s apart from that we lived on the other side of Penn Road so I would say from the late 80s I guess."
"Yes I was at work yes I do tours and so I made a transfer to old Belize when I got a call from the neighbors. A series of neighbors said the house is on fire so I hurry came and just tried to make it."
"I basically live by myself there but my nephew, his girlfriend and my grand nephew live there same way so it's very rough because my mom lived at the house and she had just passed away the first week in October so everything is coming together right now."
Reporter:
"But the rest of your family is okay?"
Kenmore Lamb, Fire Victim
"Yes because at the house it's not a lot of people. The rest is okay. We assume they are okay. We are just going to check afterwards but we assume that they are okay."
And though Lamb still has the rest of his family alive and well at his side, The wound of losing his mother has surely deepened with the loss of their family home and all the memories that they shared inside.
Kenmore Lamb, Fire Victim
"I am just speechless right now. I really can't I can't think or talk. I can't reason right now. I am just looking at the house the think about my mom, just thinking about everything. I really have no words to match how I feel right now really. I have no words. I am a person that doesn't speak a lot. I have no words to match what I feel right now."
Those wishing to assist Lamb can contact him at 6617125
No cause of the fire has yet been established.
Male Nurse Claims His Drink Was Spiked, Doctor Says He's Being Extorted (posted on Thu Dec 19, 2024)
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Today more is known about the case of the doctor accused of spiking his drinking companion and colleague, a male nurse's drink.
Last night at news time - we had not confirmed that the doctor had been charged - but now that we know he was - we can offer a more complete picture of what it is alleged happened that night:
On Saturday November 30th, Dr. Carlos Saborio, a 50 year old Nicaraguan Doctor was out having a drink with his close friend from work, a 30 year old Venezuelan male nurse. Sources tell us they had been friends for years at the KHMH and were known to socialize.
Just after 11:00, the nurse got up to go to the restroom, and as left the table,
the doctor reached into his pocket.
And less than 10 seconds after the nurse turned his back, the doctor reaches across the table and appears to put some substance into his friend's drink. He appeared to be crushing it for 45 seconds.
Halfway in, he steals a sneaky glance.
And then once finished, he sits back, puts his hand back in his pocket, still looking sneakily around, reaches across and stirs his friend's drink.
The nurse returns one minute and 40 seconds later without a clue and the first thing he does is take a sip from the mug that his Doctor friend appears to have just spiked.
The nurse says that the last thing he remembers after this is getting into the doctor's car, and after that he blacked out until he woke up on Monday December second. Police said a medical exam at the KHMH found no evidence of sexual assault.
But on the strength of the surveillance video, police proceeded with charges.
Doctor Saborio appeared in court yesterday, charged with administering a noxious substance, pleaded not guilty and was bailed.
Both medical professionals worked for the KHMH up until recently - but moved on before this report emerged.
We repeat that we are aware that there is a counter narrative which we've heard from friends of the doctor which say that he is the victim of blackmail by a practiced extortionist.
We also know that the victim - with his attorney -had offered a legal settlement so that he would not have to make a police report. When that was rejected, he made the report.
Daring Robbers Tried To Jack Casino Money In Broad Daylight (posted on Thu Dec 19, 2024)
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Christmas is known as a time when robbers get more desperate and more brazen and so it was today when a pair of criminals pounced upon a casino employee, just as he left a bank around midday. It happened on a crowded street: Princess Margaret Drive right in front of the KHMH. Reports suggest the casino employee may have been on his way to make a deposit at the Heritage Bank when the robbers pulled up on a motorcycle.
They allegedly reached into the van and snatched a money bag and then attempted to flee on their motorcycle. But they lost control of the bike near a pedestrian crosswalk and had to ditch it.
They then abandoned the motorcycle and escaped on foot. Police are looking for two suspects identified on surveillance video.
He Beat A Man To Death But Court Says It's Manslaughter Not Murder (posted on Thu Dec 19, 2024)
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Shane Jones, charged with manslaughter for the death of Edwin Usher, was found guilty today by Justice Nigel Pilgrim. Justice Pilgrim has ordered a social inquiry report, a prison report and a victim impact assessment statement to be provided by the Crown.
Jones, who was on bail, was remanded into custody today until January 29, 2025, for a mitigation and sentence hearing.
The incident occurred on November 23, 2019, on Vernon Street. Video footage, which was crucial to the Crown's case, showed that it was Jones who initiated the altercation with Usher by throwing a punch. Usher was seen lying on the pavement motionless, while Jones punched him 8 times in the head and stomped on his head. Jones and Usher were easily identified in two of the three video footage.
Usher died on November 30, 2019, while undergoing treatment at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Pathologist Dr Mario Estradabran testified that Usher died from bleeding in his brain caused by blunt trauma.
In delivering his verdict, Justice Pilgrim said the court found that the cause of death was not medical negligence and that Jones had used excessive and unreasonable force. Jones gave a statement from the dock in which claimed that he acted in self defense. He said that a lady sent him to buy at a shop on Vernon Street and he dropped the money and two men who were behind him picked up the money. He said when he confronted them, one of them threatened to have his brother kill him and that was when the altercation ensued. But the video footage had no sound and there was no evidence that a threat was made.
Third Man Charged For Drug Related Double Murder (posted on Thu Dec 19, 2024)
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A third man has been charged for Cante/Reymundo double murder in Hattieville.
20 year old Ronald Frazer of Ontario Village has been charged with two counts of murder for killing Marvin Cante and Juan Carlos Raymundo on the 27th November 2024.
Police say it is a drug related murder. The victims were both chopped up and put into a shallow grave.
He Tried To Rob A Store But Was Shot By Licensed Civilian (posted on Thu Dec 19, 2024)
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An attempted robbery gone wrong at Eric's Supermarket yesterday night, resulted in the hospitalization of the alleged robber. According to reports the accused suspect, 19 year old Cameron Myles, had entered the store at 8:30 m with a .38 revolver in his possession and demanded money from the cashier. And that's when a civilian from behind the counter pulled out his licensed 38 pistol and fired 3 shots in Myles's direction, wounding him in the shoulder. Myles was taken to the KHMH and treated for his injuries. The .38 revolver was recovered from the scene.
MOE Kept Their Promise, Teachers Paid Increments And Allowances (posted on Thu Dec 19, 2024)
The teachers were promised by the Ministry of Education that their increments and allowances would be paid by tomorrow December 20th. If not, they had voted to demonstrate next month.
But MOE fulfilled their promise one day earlier, and according to the CEO, the payments have been made to the managing authorities and they are making the disbursements directly to the teachers.
However, some teachers are saying that they have not received their payments yet. But since those funds are in the hands of the managements, it's up to them to disburse them to the teachers.
Court Mediation Will Eliminate Backlog (posted on Thu Dec 19, 2024)
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Belize is leading the way in the region in terms of improving the efficiency of the judicial system. And following a 40 hour training session, today criminal and civil mediators were sworn in. These mediators will help the court's judicial backlog by taking on certain cases that can be resolved through discussions rather than taking them to a courtroom.
Courtney Menzies was at the swearing in ceremony today and has this story.
About 2 dozen civil and criminal mediators were sworn in today at the High Court as a part of the ongoing transformation of Belize's justice system. The mediators all underwent a training program back in November and the goal is to ultimately assist the court with specific matters that can be solved through mediation rather than by a judge and jury.
Consuelo Godfrey, Criminal & Civil Mediator
"To become a mediator, you have to do rigorous training, so there's an introduction to mediation which is about a 40 hour training timeframe and then from there, you have to do an advanced training which is another 40 hours and then get sworn in and once you get sworn in, you can then do the criminal mediation which is another advanced course in mediation. Like family mediation, you have to do a specific type of training for criminal mediation because the dynamics and the nuances in criminal matters is different than civil matters."
"This is a big step. As you know we have a lot of civil cases that have been in this backlog as you call it, judicial backlog and I think one of the intentions and purposes of having more people sworn in as mediators, trained persons in various industries and different sectors in Belize, trained as mediators is to alleviate this backlog. It will take some time, I can tell you as a mediator who practices with the high courts, it does take time for cases to be referred to mediation but what I really like about the mediation process is that it gives parties an opportunity to talk, it gives parties an opportunities to have their say, something that doesn't normally happen in courts, it's the attorneys that usually speak on behalf of the parties. When it comes to criminal mediation, not all criminal cases would be mediated of course. There will be some degree of criteria and selection as to which cases will be mediated criminally. In terms of civil mediation though, it has been going really well, we've had a lot of cases gone to mediation and solved and resolved in mediation."
And High Court Justice Candice Nanton explain that all parties that are a part of the mediation process will have to consent but the cases that will be selected will have to meet a certain criteria.
Candice Nanton, High Court Justice
"It's in keeping with International standards in terms of restorative justice and in terms of ensuring that the backlogs are reduced because we do have a number of matters that are within the criminal courts and the criminal courts are working very hard at resolving those matters but there will be select matters that are fit for criminal mediation."
"Sometimes there may be a family dispute that the parties don't necessarily want to continue with the courts but court proceedings have been initiated and a better resolution may be something other than imprisonment for example so as I said, it would depend on the parties' consent, it would depend on the views of the office of the DPP, it would also depend on the selection criteria being met and that will be contained within the mediation rules."
And she also explained that mediation won't be the end for the cases:
Candice Nanton, High Court Justice
"It's a lot about talking, it's a lot about coming to resolutions jointly and with consent and voluntarily, there must be no pressure, the parties much engage in the process freely. And also the important aspect for criminal mediation is that it's not binding. It still has to go back to the judicial officer for approval so it's not that the parties just decide and that's the end of the matter, it must go back to the judicial officer who will review and decide whether it's an applicable or appropriate agreement. "
About 15 mediators are left to be sworn in.
A Tale Of Two Tapirs (posted on Thu Dec 19, 2024)
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Our next story involves injury to a wild animal - we have blurred it - but if you're sensitive - you might want to look away for 30 seconds.
On Tuesday night, this tapir was accidentally hit by a vehicle in Teakettle. The driver explained that the tapir was trying to cross the road, but turned around abruptly, and he wasn't able to stop in time.
Representatives from the Belize Zoo were on their way to Cayo at the time and were some of the first responders. They said that it was likely that the tapir was trying to climb a steep hill but misjudged it and turned around instead.
The tapir died on the site and the Zoo took it to be buried. This is the 6th tapir fatality for 2024.
And while tapirs are often victims of speedy drivers, the caution signs and education from The Tapir Project help to alert these drivers that they should be on the lookout. Just recently on the John Smith Road, this footage was taken of vehicles stopping and allowing a tapir to take his time and cross the road safely.
Family Of Murder Victims Fears Sloppy Police Work Will Deny Them Justice (posted on Thu Dec 19, 2024)
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Tonight, the family of a trio of murder victims is publicly expressing that they fear they won't get justice. In a statement issued to the media, the family of 3 year old Amari Rodriguez; her dad 25 year old Delmar Rodriguez and; and 19 year old Carlos Chi, who was an innocent passenger on the cart at the time of the armed attack.
Well, the trial against the accused Christian Espat and Michael Espat is set to start late next month and the family says, quote, "We the family of Amari and Delmar Rodriguez, express our disappointment in the way the case has been handled from the start of the investigation, to where we are at this time. The family was never kept abreast on the progress of the investigation and was never given the opportunity to look at the
disclosure of the case. Our family has attempted multiple times to follow up with the Compol, but to no avail. In addition, we tried on multiple occasions reaching out for an audition with the Director of Public Prosecution, but our calls, messages and emails were never replied. All her legal assistance would tell us is, your message was received and passed on to the DPP, but we never got a response to our request."end quote.
The DPP says, quote, "If any member of (the) family wish to meet with me to discuss, soberly and maturely, any issues that they may have, I am more than willing to meet with them. I am not directly involved in the case , but as Director I am ultimately responsible for the prosecution, and as with all other cases, would do all that is necessary to ensure that the strongest possible case is put before the Court." End quote.
The family says it is quote, "extremely concerned when we noticed certain documents and other
materials omitted from the investigation and case file. We provided investigators with audio and video recordings to strengthen the case file, and that too was not in the documents we saw in the partial disclosure." End quote.
We will follow up on these allegations at our next interview with the Commissioner of Police.
Salvation Army Vouchers In High Demand (posted on Thu Dec 19, 2024)
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The Salvation Army's annual tradition of distributing cash vouchers to those in need began early this morning at their four different locations in the Belize District. And the need is always great. Jomarie Lanza was there this morning:
The crowds began to form as early as 7:30 in front of the Salvation Army branch here on Regent Street. It's their annual cash voucher distribution to those in need during the Christmas season - and, from the looks of it, there are many who fit that description. Recipients can get up to $45 worth of goods at any Public's Store. Their district coordinator says that only those who register will be able to receive.
Marceddy Momplaisir, District officer, Salvation Army in Belize
"This is our annual voucher and our aim is to celebrate love with the people and to connect the communities and not only that but to celebrate the joy of giving because we strongly believe it is not about us but it's about all us together because if you look at outside we have a lot of senior citizens who are not as fortunate or don't really have family abroad or who have a heavy job that can support them but when they find out that the Salvation Army is going to give them something we make sure that people get their vouchers so that we can support them in that way."
The Salvation Army will distribute 700 vouchers between all four of their locations. And for those who may have missed out on the cash voucher, they will still get a chance to receive a package on behalf of the Army and its sponsors.
Marceddy Momplaisir, District officer, Salvation Army in Belize
"Yes they have to register first because guess what it's not only here we have it we have it in four places, cemetery road and north side castle road and we have it at Hattieville and Ladyville so sometimes we can't be there so we make sure we have it at the same time."
"We don't really worry about that because as I said to them this morning we have their name meaning that they have registered and as long as they have a number they will get their voucher however there are so many people calling who want the voucher and unfortunately we cannot support everybody in that sense but what we have is not big but we do our best so we are going to see how we can solve that problem in terms of giving some parcels but those who are out there they don't want to miss it but I told them don't worry about that you'll get your voucher as long as you have your number."
We spoke to 2 of those recipients this morning and they both expressed their gratitude to the Army for the needy
Cecil Price, Voucher Recipient
"Well for the past 8 years I've been receiving this Christmas cheer and I feel very good about it because it helps me a lot me and my family."
"We buy our apples and grapes and you know different stuff for the Christmas, thanks to Salvation Army."
Loyda Dawson, Voucher Recipient
"I am very grateful, very grateful "
Reporter:
"This is the first time you are getting?"
Loyda Dawson, Voucher Recipient
"No I'm on a monthly program"
Reporter:
"And how will this help you get your stuff for the holidays?"
Loyda Dawson, Voucher Recipient
"It will help me a lot, I need a lot of the stuff because I am a diabetic right? So I need to buy some stuff so it helps me really good."
133 New Bay Palm Residents (posted on Thu Dec 19, 2024)
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133 Cayo South residents received their purchase approvals for a parcel of land today., Once they have paid the full purchase price, they will be first time landowners. This program was through a collaboration between MIDH and the Ministry of Natural Resources. This group will join the more than 120 recipients from last year who will form the Bay Leaf Palm Estates Community in Armenia.
At the ceremony, the area rep Julius Espat spoke to his constituents.
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing
"Today you have residents from Armenia in the large majority that will receive lots. But we also heard from my other villages that I love dearly. We have guys and ladies from Roaring Creek, which is my home village. We have people from Frank's Eddy. We have people from St. Mathews. We have people from Ontario. We have from Blackman. We have from Cotton Tree. We have Valley of Peace. Most we have tried to touch a little bit of every village and it comes with love guys. It really comes with love. I could stay all day deputy to continue this... we call it preaching, but it is an opportunity to say thank you to you all. You all are the reason why we are here and in specific."
"So why I am here. And I never forget that. I never will. And I will continue to work as hard as I can to make sure that you receive the benefits that you deserve."
Cordel Hyde, Minister of Natural Resources
"When we transfer a land to you, we are transferring wealth to you. We don't talk about this enough. When we sell you a lot for a $500 that lot is valued for $20,000 $25,000."
"You can never be poor again. You can bank that land. You can take that land and send your children to school. You can build a house with that land. You can send. You can start a small business with that land. You will be able to provide for your family in the event of any medical emergency. With that land, you will never be poor."
"With that land, we are reducing poverty because we believe once you have land, you cannot be poor. And it's the same thing we do with these houses. When Julius and his team builds these houses, these houses value over $50,000 and you only pay a mortgage of $100 a month. You can't beat that with a hammer. You can hardly rent a room in Belize City for a week with $100, much less have a mortgage of $100 per month."
"And you know what? 40 years ago, when my mother got that house from the government, that is what she paid for a mortgage. $100 a month. And 40 years later, that is what you are getting a bungalow house for you can ‘t beat that with the hammer."
Reverse Osmosis System For Northern Village (posted on Thu Dec 19, 2024)
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In other government pre Christmas projects, Chunox Village in the Corozal district received an upgrade to its water supply system this week thanks to a project being funded by The Caricom Development Fund and Social Investment fund. The $900,000.00 project will implement the use of a reverse osmosis water system that will improve the quality and water supply to homes within the village. Here are the highlights from the launching ceremony.
Carlos Tun, Executive Director SIF
"This initiative was specifically designed to improve the quality and supply of water to 900 households across four disadvantaged communities in Belize. These communities are San Antonio Village in the Toledo district, Georgeville Village in the Cayo district. The Mahogany Heights community in the Belize district, and of course Chunox village right here in the Corozal district. The project's goal was clear; to provide a safe and reliable water supply for domestic, and productive purposes."
"Earlier this year, we celebrated the San Antonio Water system. Tomorrow, we will mark the achievement in Georgeville, but today it's about this village and the transformative water system we are inaugurating right here. In Chunox the scope of works carried out included: one, the installation of water measuring and control devices, the installation of new pumping systems, including heaters, upgrades to the electrical systems, and more significantly, the installation of a reverse osmosis water purification system."
"Now, many of us here have had the opportunity to drink this water. Let me say it is good drinking water, clean, safe and refreshing."
Florencio Marin, Area Rep. Corozal South-East
"For Chunox in the span of two decades, again is getting a new reverse osmosis system, the most modern system in the country. All right. The People's United Party government under the former Prime Minister Musa and now under Prime Minister John Briceno, believes in providing the basic utilities to the people in the country and Chunox is now one of the beneficiaries of that."
"And I know the team because I know some of the players here. I know the team will do their best to keep maintaining the system. And I know when the problem becomes a little bit bigger. And I know we have my good friend Ramiro and my nephew John Marin Junior, who will ensure that they do not let this system go to waste and to have it running properly for the people of Chunox."
Eliomar Santoya, Deputy Chairman Chunox Village
"As our community has a success and access to purified and safe drinking water, this project ensure better health for all families in our community."
Strengthen the foundation of our community and guarantee a brighter future for our children. A heartfelt thanks to the Community Development Fund, CDF and Social Investment Fund for Individual resources, guidance and financial support in making this project a success.
Chunox is one of the four villages receiving this upgrade under the project.
BEL Keeps Up 26 Year Tradition (posted on Thu Dec 19, 2024)
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In a tradition that goes back 26 years, BEL and its employees have - over the past two weeks - delivered a total of 220 hampers and care packages to deserving families and senior citizens countrywide.
120 of the hampers contain essential groceries and items and other ingredients needed to prepare a traditional Christmas meals, while the 100 care packages also contain groceries, toiletries and other household necessities.
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