The Court of Appeal convened today to hear arguments in the high-profile case of Oscar Selgado, a 56-year-old attorney convicted last year for abetment to murder. Selgado was found guilty of allegedly orchestrating a hit on Marilyn Barnes, a Belizean woman, though the act was never carried out. The court ruled that his actions had crossed legal boundaries, leading to his conviction and a ten-year prison sentence. Today, Selgado’s legal team, led by attorneys Arthur Saldivar and Darrell Bradley, presented arguments to overturn the conviction. The hearing raised critical legal questions, including the reliance on a key statement from Giovanni Ramirez, the individual Selgado allegedly hired. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) conceded that without Ramirez’s statement, the prosecution’s case would have collapsed. Notably, Ramirez’s statement was admitted during a voir dire, despite his refusal to testify in person due to fears for his safety. Selgado’s lawyers argued that this violated the Evidence Act, as the prosecution failed to provide adequate protection or alternative testimony options for Ramirez. Additionally, they highlighted the absence of crucial evidence, such as a phone allegedly containing incriminating recordings, which was never recovered before the trial. After hours of deliberation, the panel of judges reserved their decision for a later date. Selgado remains incarcerated pending the outcome of this appeal, which could potentially alter the course of his case.