In a landmark ruling from the High Court in Belmopan, Pablo Catzim has been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for the 2018 homicide of 19-year-old Bobby Garcia. The court deducted nearly seven and a half years for time already served in remand since the offense occurred when Catzim was just 15 years old.
The judicial proceedings revealed that Catzim pleaded guilty to the murder charges and demonstrated remorse for his actions. Defense attorney Bryan Neal emphasized his client’s rehabilitation during incarceration, noting completion of multiple prison programs and potential for societal reintegration. “He has shown himself to be someone who, if reintroduced into society, can be a productive member,” Neal stated in post-sentencing remarks.
Under special provisions for offenders below age 16, the court will conduct a mandatory review in three years to evaluate Catzim’s eligibility for early release. The prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, acknowledged this unusual sentencing structure that balances punishment with rehabilitation considerations.
Neal further disclosed that Catzim had formally apologized to Garcia’s parents and expressed contrition to society at large. The defense attorney characterized the sentence as acknowledging both the gravity of the crime and the defendant’s acceptance of responsibility, stating “Everybody deserves a second chance” in comments to press representatives.