19 MAY
2013
X-Mas Day pick axe murder trial concludes Continued from page 6
Liquor License NOTICES Notice is hereby given that FRANCINE LAVERN AUGUST AND DARWIN AUGUST is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “The Water Hole”, situate at 26 ½ Miles Phillip S.W. Goldson Highway, Biscayne Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980. Notice is hereby given that ELISEO GUARDADO is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Kendra’s Shop”, situate at San Felipe Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.
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Police shoot to kill Punta Gorda, May 13, 2013 The Police Department has launched an investigation into the shooting death of Rasheed Elijio who was killed by a Police Officer while reportedly attempted to escape. On Friday May 10th, Elijio was being escorted by Punta Gorda Police officials to prison on the public bus, the 5:00am James Bus. At the time, Eligio was handcuffed to Brian Garcia, another detainee. According to the Police, both men bolted in an attempt to escape and they set chase after them. Three hours later, the Police Station in Punta Gorda received a phone call from Constable David Griffith, who
informed them that Elijio was shot during the alleged escape. Griffith claimed they followed the handcuffed men as far as the Carib Reserved Area where they didn’t stop, so the Police shot them. One of the shots caught Elijio in the left side and he fell to the ground. By the time he arrived at the Punta Gorda hospital, he was pronounced dead. Punta Gorda residents are outraged at the incident, claiming the Police’s actions were unjustified. The Punta Gorda Town Council also decried the abuse of authority and called for an investigation. The officer involved, Constable David Griffith, has a history of controversy at the Department. Griffith, who is a Belize City based officer,
was transferred to Punta Gorda following the 2010 shooting death of 21 year old Teddy Murillo. This incident also follows recent other controversial Police killings. On Thursday April 18th, when Police responded to a report of a burglary, they caught 21 year old Ryan Lozano in the act. The Police say he advanced towards them menacingly and they shot him. But Lozano’s mother claims the allegations are false and that her son should have been arrested and charged, but not killed. Lozano was shot in his back with an AR-15 Rifle. This matter is also under Police investigation.
CARTOON
ney Musa submitted that in light of the fact that there was no evidence to even remotely connect Jose Garcia to the crime of murder, he would be requesting the judge to give the appropriate direction to the jury that the accused had no case to answer. With that directive, the foreman of the jury announced the verdict that Jose Garcia was found not guilty and Garcia was allowed to leave the court a free man. THE BELIZE TIMES is informed that there is a hefty backlog of murder trials which are languishing in the Court. The judges of the Supreme Court have complained that attorneys have not been readily assisting the Court to get these matters dealt with. We applaud attorney Kareem Musa for taking on legal aid assignment and being a leader by his actions of assisting the justice system to work. This is commendable and we encourage more attorneys to follow his lead.
THE BELIZE TIMES