A Belize City court has mandated the continuation of a high-profile criminal trial after Justice Candace Nanton dismissed a defense motion to dismiss the case. Michael Gladden, colloquially known as ‘Wannie,’ remains the sole defendant facing charges for his alleged involvement in a 2020 attempted murder, following the death of his co-accused in an unrelated incident.
The core of the prosecution’s argument hinges on the remote testimony of the victim, Karen Pinto, who now resides in the United States under asylum protection. Testifying via video link, Pinto delivered a harrowing account of the attack, detailing how she was pursued by two assailants and forced to feign death in a swamp to survive the shooting. Her identification of Gladden as a key participant became the focal point of the legal proceedings.
Defense attorney Ian Gray contended that his client was misidentified, presenting a no-case submission for dismissal. This was robustly countered by prosecutors who asserted Pinto had known Gladden for over a year prior to the incident and recognized him unequivocally. Evidence presented suggests Gladden not only accompanied the shooter but actively encouraged departure from the scene under the belief the victim was deceased.
With the no-case submission rejected, the judicial process advances. Both legal teams are scheduled to submit written arguments, culminating in a final verdict from Justice Nanton on March 12th.