分类： crime

In the early hours of Sunday, October 12, 2025, police officers patrolling the Bradley Bank area in Santa Elena discovered a man lying in the street with severe head injuries. The victim, identified as 42-year-old Shawn Hertular, was immediately transported to San Ignacio Hospital for emergency treatment. Despite medical efforts, Hertular succumbed to his injuries hours later. A postmortem examination confirmed that he died from a gunshot wound, marking another tragic chapter in a life marred by violence. Hertular had a notorious criminal history, including a 2024 acquittal for the 2021 murder of Miguel Zaiden, a Belize City resident who was stabbed multiple times while attempting to flee on his motorcycle. Prior to that, Hertular had served a 20-year prison sentence for another homicide. Authorities have now identified a person of interest in connection with his death, and the investigation remains ongoing.

In a case that sent shockwaves across Belize in 2018, the brutal murder of 68-year-old Martha Gonzales, a dedicated tamales vendor, has resurfaced in the legal spotlight. Gonzales, who traveled daily from Orange Walk to Pomona Valley in Stann Creek to sell tamales, cheese, and clothing, met a tragic end during one of her routine trips. Her body was discovered in a latrine on the property of Christopher Bradley, then 21 years old. Investigators revealed that Gonzales had been stabbed in the chest, wrapped in a tarp, and concealed in the latrine. The case took a chilling turn when Bradley allegedly took her bucket of tamales home, fed his mother, and gifted Gonzales’ chain to his girlfriend. In 2021, Bradley was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole for 28 years. However, he has now returned to court, appealing both his conviction and sentence. His defense attorney contends that critical evidence, including the chain and blood found at Bradley’s residence, should have been excluded. The prosecution, on the other hand, maintains that the evidence was robust and the sentence justified. A panel of three judges heard arguments today, and the outcome of this high-profile appeal remains pending.

In a significant breakthrough, Belize District police have apprehended 25-year-old Tafaree Sanchez of Vernon Street in connection with a violent daylight shooting that occurred in September. Sanchez now faces three counts of attempted murder following the high-speed chase and gunfire exchange along the Phillip Goldson Highway. The incident unfolded near mile three of the highway, where Sanchez and a 17-year-old minor allegedly pursued a light blue Chevy Equinox. The pursuit intensified near Reimer’s Feed Mill, where gunmen reportedly exited their vehicle and opened fire on the SUV. The chase continued, culminating in another round of gunfire in front of Maheia’s United, which left 36-year-old Glenford Reed and 28-year-old Joshua Augustine injured. Jahreem “32” Staine, the suspected target, managed to escape unharmed. The minor was arrested shortly after the incident, while Sanchez remained at large until his recent capture. Authorities are actively investigating the motive behind the attack and whether additional individuals were involved. The entire incident was captured on camera, providing crucial evidence for the ongoing investigation. Sanchez is expected to be arraigned today in the lower court.

In a startling development in a high-profile murder investigation, a 25-year-old Belizean police officer, Orvin Williams, has been arrested and charged with the brutal killings of fraternal twins Paul Esquilliano and Paula Belisle. The siblings were discovered shot dead inside Paula’s residence on Ysaguirre Boulevard in Hattieville on September 15, 2025. After weeks of uncertainty, the Belize Police Department announced on October 11 that Williams, a constable from Mahogany Heights, had been taken into custody and faces two counts of murder. The case has taken a deeply personal turn, as investigators revealed that Williams had previously been in a relationship with Paula’s daughter, who passed away some time ago. Reports also suggest that Williams had allegedly been stealing money from Paula’s credit union account, raising questions about financial motives. Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith, a spokesperson for the police, emphasized that while an arrest has been made, the investigation remains ongoing, and further details will be disclosed in court. The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the complexities of the case and the emotional toll it has taken on all involved.

The Court of Appeal commenced the hearing for Oscar Selgado, a 56-year-old attorney convicted of abetment to murder in the case of Marilyn Barnes, on October 14, 2025. Selgado, sentenced to 10 years by Justice Nigel Pilgrim in June 2024, is contesting both his conviction and the severity of his sentence. His legal team, comprising Arthur Saldivar and Darrell Bradley, argued that the trial was marred by procedural flaws, including an allegedly incomplete transcript and the disputed admissibility of a key witness’s statement. Giovanni Ramirez, the crown’s primary witness, did not testify in person due to claimed fears for his safety. His statement was admitted under a voidaire, a legal mechanism for fearful witnesses. Saldivar also contended that the 10-year sentence was disproportionate, citing a similar case where the defendant received a six-year term despite Selgado’s lack of prior convictions. He further criticized the crown for not providing adequate protection for Ramirez or exploring virtual testimony options. Cheryl Lynn-Vidal, the Director of Public Prosecutions, defended the crown’s position, asserting that Ramirez’s fear was genuine and corroborated by other witnesses. She emphasized that without Ramirez’s statement, the case against Selgado would have been untenable. Lynn-Vidal also dismissed the feasibility of virtual testimony, stating that Ramirez consistently refused to participate due to credible threats from Selgado. The full story will be covered on News 5 Live at 6 p.m.