Important Note: This Internet version of 7 News is a verbatum
transcript of our evening television news script. Many interviews on our newscast
are conducted in Creole. In the interest of clarity for our foreign readers,
we attempt to paraphrase the Creole quotes in English
There are only 30 days to go before the double elections in March, but tonight The PUP is recovering from another wounding body blow. Albert Incumbent and three-time PUP representative Mark Espat this morning announced that he will not offer himself as a candidate in the March 7th General Elections.
The announcement came from his Committee which said in a statement that, "While we wished for Mark to continue in public service, we understand and fully support this difficult choice."
The statement echoes the sentiments in Cordel Hyde's release on Friday about the PUP's departure from its social justice roots. It says, quote:
"What Party members like us seek and what Belizeans deserve is a Party where donors matter less and merit matters more; where results match rhetoric; and where policies live up to the Party's creed of service to the people, social justice and a mixed economy."
The statement adds that "at critical junctures, in Government and in Opposition, Mark stood firm in defending the interests of the 99% from the assaults of the 1%, refusing to be bullied into submission."
Importantly, it adds that the Albert Committee will stand down with immediate effect. That's important because that means the replacement candidate takes over without any continuity from either the candidate or his committee.
Espat also sent a farewell letter to the voters of Albert saying, quote,
"May a more equitable Belize, free from the manacles of poverty and violence, shape a more enlightened and hopeful future."
So again, the PUP has lost its hold on a sure seat. Espat had been particularly successful in what once was Phillip Godson's divisions, and conventionally thought to be unchangeably UDP. He racked up record margins of victory in three general elections - and, simply put, made Albert the PUP's surest seat in the country.
But it is not that now, now that seat is in play. But, as party leader Francis Fonseca told reporters on Friday, the party sort of expected it, and all weekend the Party's movers and shakers scrambled to come up with a solid replacement.
They believe they did - and that candidate along with the new one for Lake Independence were sworn in this morning and presented to the media this afternoon. 7news was there as Deputy Leader Carolyn Trench Sandiford bid Hyde and Espat farewell:
Jules Vasquez Reporting
Carolyn Trench Sandiford, PUP Deputy Leader "We are saddened of course by the decision from the gentleman from Albert and Lake Independence in their decision not to contest the upcoming general elections. However its their personal choice and as a party we respect that."
But they are moving on… and so All 31 PUP representatives crowded into Independence Hall this afternoon - including 2 newcomers, Yolanda Schakron and David Craig.
Before a boisterous crowd of party supporters and press, the message was clear:
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the PUP "We respect their decision and as all of us have said today, we have to move on, it is with absolute`pride, it is with absolute enthuisiasm that the national executive and the standard berers of the People's United Party this morning, embrace and zccepted our new candidates into the fold in the persons of Yolanda Schakron for the Lake Independence division and Mr. David Craig for the Albert Division. The PUP Lake Independence Committee has given their full unconditional unwavering support to the candidacy of Yolanda Schakron."
Yolanda Schakron, Lake I Standard Bearer "I also have the commitment and the suport of Mr. Cordel Hyde committee and so I am very confident that come March 7, Lake I will be delivered to the People's United Party."
But it is not that simple in the Albert division where the Committee stood down along with Mark Espat.
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the PUP "We will have to form a new Albert committee. I am confident - and there are very good people on that committee that are very good, committed members of the People's United Party, and we will certainly reach out to members of that committee. They felt that it was the right thing to do since their standard was standing down. But we will ceratinly reached out to members of that committee and we will put together a very strong effective PUP Albert Committee to support the candidacy David Craig."
David Craig, PUP Standard Bearer, Albert "Mr. Espat, the party leader has made very clear, has done a lot of work in that area. That area is PUP and has been PUP. So we stand on the work of that hard working committee, and on the work of Mark in bringing the best possible things to everybody in that area. I will hit the ground running. This is not even a race. this is going to be a sprint."
But with a month to go before the election, does the party have time to win a sprint?
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the PUP "Both David Craig and Yolanda Schakron will once again deliver those seats for the People's United Party."
But the party must face the fact that it faces a unprecedented level of turmoil 30 days before a double election.
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the PUP "There has been a lot of noise at the national level and we have had - as you rightly put it, we have had a turn-over of candidates at a very critical point in the election process and certainly if we could have avoided that, sure, that would have been great. But is the reality; we have to deal with it. We have to move on. The one message for all of us coiming out of this turmoil as you describe it - to use your words - the one mesage for all of us is that this means we have to work even harder, we have to dig even deeper. We have to put our heads down and make sure that we are going house to house, community to community taking our mesage of hope to the Belizean people."
And Fonseca says he is not angry with Espat or Hyde:
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the PUP "I have to say that I am very greatful to the Hon. Cordel Hyde, he was very gracious; he call me; we had a long conversation on the phone. I think we spoke about 15 minutes about his son's ilness, about other issues, about the party, about Lake independence. We had a very long, cordial, respectful conversation. He sent me a personal letter indicating his intentions. I was grateful for that. Noe of that has happen with respect to Albert but everybody has to choose their own way to depart. I hold absolutely no ill feelings; I wish Mr. Mark Espat all the best. he is obviously a very skilled, competent individual."
Jules Vasquez "I see the immediate past party leader sitting there - Mr Briceno. How would you asnwer the criticism that you undermined him? I remember the October 26 convention. I remember the November 1 letter indicating to him that you could not serve as executive at that time. You told him in writing that you could not serve on the executive at the time."
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the PUP "Mr. Briceno is here, he can tell you with absolute clarity that at no time did I undermined his leadership. In fact on every occasion that he call on me to be anywhere with him. On any occasion I spoke on his behalf, I continue to speak very clearly about his term in office."
Jules Vasquez "It was said in your letter that, given the current structure and composition of newly - elected executives, 'I cannot, in good faith, accept the nomination and appointment to the executive.'"
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the PUP "You are talking about 2008?"
Jules Vasquez "November 1, 2010; That was 2 years ago."
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the PUP "Yes, that was - we - and we had a good constructed meeting."
Hon. John Briceno, Standard Bearer - Orange Walk Central "Party leader, can you allow me please? I want to make absolutely clear that when the Honorable Francis Fonseca did not attend the convention in Dangriga is simply becuause he was ill. I spoke to him personally over the phone and he could hardly speak at that time. It was at no time that he was trying to undermine me or the party."
And that was the prevailing sentiment of the day - to put a good face on an otherwise bad situation
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the PUP "I feel very good about where we are now. But I will feel even better on March 7 when the votes are counted and we deliver a victory for the People's United Party."
Reference the Lake I Committee, chairman Cardinal Whylie - who had told us earlier that he was not on board with candidate Schakron because he had not been approached - has now told us he has met with her and the entire committee is willing to work with her.
As noted in the story, it's not the same in the Albert division where the entire committee has stepped down. The committee is considered crucial to continuity in any division because essentially they know where the party's strongest supporters are.
So the PUP now moves ahead into uncharted territory: no mass party has ever faced three candidate resignations so close to a general election. That two of those resignations come from senior Parliamentarians in safe seats - is definitely damaging, but, in politics, like Boledo, any number can play.
Dondre Brannon was an 18 year old going to evening school at Gwen Liz - but last night he was shot as he walked home.
It happened around 8:30 while he was riding on Central American Boulevard, and at the corner of Iguana Street in Belize City, an unidentified man fired a single shot which caught him in the midsection.
Hew was rushed to the KHMH, but he was bleeding too much internally, and Dundre succumbed to his injury at 9:35 pm.
Dundre is the son of Basil Brannon and the nephew of Kevin and Phillip Brannon who were killed in May of 2006.
Today we spoke to his father, who is wracked by the grief of this event, and the cumulative grief of three murders and the loss of another sibling who died by drowning. He told us it's just too much:..
Basil Brannon, Father of Decease "Jules, I got a call about minutes to 10 saying that my son got shot; it was like déjà vu all over again. It was like this is not right, and so when I reached the hospital - it's unfortunate - they were trying to save his life."
"I spoke to a few friends, and they said he got shot coming home; he had gone somewhere and was coming home and someone just shot him."
Jules Vasquez "Do you think it was random or do you think they were targeting him?"
Basil Brannon, Father of Decease "Jules, at this point I don't want to speculate; I want the police to do their job and find out exactly what happened, so I will not answer that until I really get some more answers on it, but it looks like more of a target hit to me."
Jules Vasquez "Now I told your dad just now, I've been to this house from in the 90's when you had a sibling that got drowned and then obviously we all know about your two brothers who were murdered, and now this."
Basil Brannon, Father of Decease "Jules, I don't know how much more I can take. I've had it. It's too much for one person; it's too much for the family, and I want this to stop. How can it stop? By our parents, elderly saying you know what, come together start working together as a community again, and stop be 'this is my family and that is your family.' We need to stop, we need to stop this. This is frustrating."
Jules Vasquez "Now I know your family has had its travails with the justice system as well. No one has ever been brought to justice for the murder of your two brothers and now this. I know you have to have the confidence or the expectation that someone will, but do you think it will happen?"
Basil Brannon, Father of Decease "Jules, let's be real; justice - it's what you make of it. It's not what you want to happen. I don't expect any; it happened to my brothers and it will happen again, so I don't even cry justice. I just want it to stop."
"To go back and talk about justice and all that - it's not going to happen. I don't want to hear it; I don't want to talk about that; I just want it to stop because, personally, I am about to blow my top. I had enough."
Brannon told us his son was mischievous but not a gang banger. Police have not made any arrests.
One hour after Brannon was shot, another youth was chopped up near the Matron Roberts Clinic.
23 year-old Shane Jones was chopped to the head while he was walking on a pathway that links Johnson Street with Magazine Road Belize City, next to the Matron Roberts Health Center.
The police report that he was approached by four of five men who used a machete to chop him across the head. Police report that he was admitted to a ward in a critical but stable condition - but he seems to have recovered quickly as the hospital had him set for release at noon today.
Police say they have detained 37 year old Dwight Terry of a Magazine Road address for questioning.
On Friday, Estevan Williams, 22, a resident of San Jose Succotz Village in Cayo - who was initially charged with murder - was convicted of a lesser charge of manslaughter in the Courtroom of Justice Troadio Gonzalez. He had been accused of the June 2008 stabbing death of Jerson Paguada Hernandez, a 27 year-old Honduran resident of the Salvapan area of, Belmopan.
The prosecutor in this case, Senior Crown Counsel Cecil Ramirez, called several witnesses to the stand. One key witness was able to testify to the court that he saw Williams - who was 18 years old at the time of the incident - leaving the scene of the crime when the body was discovered. This witness was only able to say that he saw Williams leave; he couldn't say that he saw Williams commit the act itself.
That's very little evidence to go on, right? Well, Senior Crown Counsel Ramirez was able to gain the conviction by getting a signed statement admitted into evidence. In this statement, Williams admitted to a police officer that Hernandez asked him for 2 dollars. When Williams told Hernandez that he had no money, the deceased threw a punch at him.
Williams, who had a Belikin beer bottle in his hand, then hit the deceased in the head. When the beer bottle broke, Williams allegedly began stabbing Hernandez in the neck and head area, and Hernandez died as a result of his injuries.
One important note is that the this confession statement was only admitted after a trial within a trial took place. Phillip Palacio, Williams' attorney, submitted that the court should not accept it as evidence, because the statement was coerced from of his client. After hearing arguments from both Ramirez and Palacio, Justice Gonzalez granted permission for the statement to be presented to the jury.
From the Dock, Williams told the court that he was instructed by a police officer to give the statement against his will, and that he didn't know the deceased.
After 2 hours of deliberation, a jury of 12 found the defendant guilty of manslaughter. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.
Belize's first trial without jury is set to commence in the courtroom of Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin.
In his speech for this year's opening, CJ Benjamin had indicated that trial without jury would start in this legal year, but he had not indicated when.
Well, 7News has confirmed that the first case is the Crown versus Ricky Valencia and Akeem Thurton for the attempted murder of Attorney Rodwell Willliams.
Viewers may recall that Williams was shot several times on May 30, 2010 at around 8 p.m. while he was leaving his law office of Barrow and Williams, a law firm in which he and Prime Minister Dean Barrow are partners.
That case came up today in the Supreme Court, and while it did not start, the matter was addressed as both accused, Akeem Thurton and Ricky Valenciak, where before the court.
Today, Ricky Valencia told the court that he has retained representation, but his attorney didn't know that today was the date that the trial was set to start. Thurton also informed the court that his attorney cannot represent him, and as a result, he now has to seek legal representation elsewhere.
Both men asked the court to grant them an adjournment so they could tie up loose ends with their legal assistance.
The matter was adjourned for Wednesday morning at 9:00 before the Chief Justice, Kenneth A. Benjamin.
This case is a landmark one because it presents a new era for murder and murder related charges to be heard before the court. As its name indicates, there will be no jury to hear the facts, and CJ Benjamin will be both the judge of the law and the facts.
Unofficial reports tonight say that a Woman police constable attached to the police traffic branch could face charges of extortion. The "W" was reportedly busted allegedly extorting a civilian. Little else is known at this time - but more information is expected to surface tomorrow. It is noteworthy because just ten days ago, a constable was charged for extortion after he allegedly demanded money from a driver at a checkpoint.
Another American Fugitive has been captured in Belize, this time, attempting to enter Belize from Guatemala. 57 year-old George Thomas, an American national, was attempting to enter Belize from Guatemala in a green Dodge Ram pickup truck with U.S. license plates. The Belizean police, with assistance from the Melchor Police, apprehended him on the outskirts of Melchor, Guatemala. He is wanted in Arkansas for rape, and will be extradited to the U.S. where he will be handed over to authorities.
Three men have been detained in connection to an aggravated burglary which OCCURRED yesterday in Santa Elena. 24 year-old Norma Rodriguez was inside her business, Grace Mini Shop located in the Hillview area, when three men entered. They were armed with knives, and as one man held the weapon to her throat, threatening to rape her, the other two men stole the day's earnings. They made off with $200 dollars cash, but the police have since detained three suspects. They are 24 year old Fernando Novelo, 20-year old Armando Novelo, and 24-year old Fransico Navarro, all of whom are Belizean laborers.
In mid-December we showed you a story on Capital Energy's work in Southern Belize where villagers from the five so called 'buffer communities' of Barranco, Midway, Sundaywood, Conejo, Crique Sarco and Corazon had been employed by the oil company and had nothing bad to say about it.
Well, tonight SATIIM is reporting that things have changed. The Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management reports that the company has fired all 23 workers from Conejo village.
And the reason? Well, last week SATIIM raised a howl of protest when it discovered that US Capital Energy had cut a seismic line through Conejo's territory.
It was supposedly a mistake but SATIIM claims that, in retaliation, US Capital fired all 23 Conejo workers.
SATIIM calls it a collective punishment for the village leadership's insistence that the community decide together their response to the company's activities.
It seems the oil companies must first get the go-ahead form the villager leaders - who want to consult with an attorney before that permission is given.
Satiim says, Conejo's position is therefore entirely consistent with Belizean law, and accuses US Capital Energy of compounding one transgression with another.
SATIIM reports that US Capital Energy started installing computers at the village school on Friday 3 February, a day after allegedly sacking the entire workforce from the village.
We could not reach US Capital for comment
Tonight there is news of some major local investors going into receivership in two separate ventures.
The first piece of news is about the Pickwick Club Limited. That is the company which owns Belize's oldest and most exclusive private sports club. But recently, with a group of new investors, the Pickwick property had gone from sports to gaming and had come to include a casino and hotel under development.
Billy Musa Sr., who is one of the principal investors, confirmed to us today that the company has very suddenly been sent into receivership by the Atlantic Bank.
He told us they received no prior notice and only found out today after the receiver had been appointed. That receiver is Bob Garcia.
Musa told us that the project was stalled when government pulled the license. This, we understand was due to a minimum room requirement which the hotel part of the new building did not meet.
Musa says that, indeed, they were behind on payments, and Atlantic Bank had given them until the end of March to pay off the full indebtedness which is eight million plus dollars.
He said they were getting their finances in order to pay the full indebtedness by that time, but very suddenly, and without notice, the company was sent into receivership today.
Musa told us he is confident that they'll be able to buy it back - but regrets that the bank acted without notice. He says they'll now simply have to pay more to get the project back as the receiver will require a standard fee.
In other news of big business going under, PLUS TV reports tonight that the Mena Group's Wood Depot in Belmopan has also been sent into receivership.
These pictures show that the Mena's were locked out of the compound today because the receiver Craig Waterman had moved in and locked them out.
According to PLUS, the Mena's pleaded with authorities to allow them to get into the compound but they were told they have to deal with the court.
According to PLUS, the property will be auctioned on February 20th.
Since 2008, Challenge Gobie, an annual bike-a-thon has been raising funds for the treatment of sicknesses such as Cancer, HIV/Aids and Diabetes. This year's funds are geared toward the construction of a top-of-the-line Children's intensive care Unit at the Karl Heusner Memorial hospital located in Belize City. The Gobie Challenge Foundation is working with Kim Simpliss Barrow, KHMH, Project Cure, The Ministry of Health and Special Envoy for Women and Children in order to make this possible. The ride took place on Saturday, coinciding with World Cancer Day, and it met with success. CEO in the Ministry of Health Peter Allen explained the worthy cause behind the ride:..
Dr. Peter Allen, CEO Ministry of Health "We are going out to tenders, and the tenders are expected to be issued next week for the brand new wing at the Karl Heusner - the children's intensive care unit where all of our kids will be able to get treated right here in Belize, kids from P.G. kids from Corozal, kids from Cayo, kids from all over."
Hon. Melvin Hulse, Minister of Transport "Riding is already a tough sport and some of you all I see. I pass you all on the road, but what makes it more important is what you do it for, and trust me, there is nothing greater that you can do it for than the two powerful causes you are doing it for today - children and cancer. I am certainly proud, and I am glad you all could be out here, at one o'clock in the morning to ride so that we can work along with people like those guys whose can get help for the children."
Dr. Peter Allen, CEO Ministry of Health "How long have we been working now? Five years ladies and gentlemen, five years, at the Gobie Challenge Foundation. But I wanted you all to know that especially today, you are raising funds for a brand new wing at the Karl Heusner memorial hospital, which will house the pediatric intensive care unit. You're already well on your way to raising over a million dollars; over a million dollars ladies and gentlemen."
The construction of a Children's Intensive Care Unit in Belize will allow many children access to the medical treatment they need but may not be able to afford.
In hard times resourceful people have to find a way to get by. And for city residents clearing land in the wetlands surrounding the city, this often means cashing in on Crocodiles and Snakes that are found in the bush.
Apparently these reptiles, which are thought of as menaces in Belize, are considered exotic foods for the Chinese.
And so, now, many who catch a nice big snake won't kill it; instead they'll find a Chinese willing to pay top dollar for it.
We found two men on just such a quest today: to find someone willing to buy the snake they found in the area of Western Lake called Dungulung. They told us about it:..
Snake Man "Well we went to do some cutting this morning and when we were cutting, we came across 3 snakes. We know that the Chinese normally buy them, so we bring them out because we know they are dangerous to people and their pets."
Jules Vasquez "You are not afraid of this Boa around your neck?"
Snake Man "No because we are used to them, so it's not a problem."
Jules Vasquez "So how much you think you can get for it?"
Snake man "Well some Chinese will give us about $5 a pound."
Jules Vasquez "How much pounds do you think this weighs?"
Snake Man "Well, it's at least about 40 or 50 pounds."
Jules Vasquez "Ok and you're not afraid that if you sell the Chinese, you might end up eating it back in something?"
Snake Man "Well right now we don't eat too much food from the Chinese; we eat food from the Chinese but not much and not so often, so anything is anything (laughing)."
We could not find out how much per pound they were able to sell the snake for - but competition is tough because we've met others who are capable of skinning and cleaning the snake before they sell it.
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"What Party members like us seek and what Belizeans deserve is a Party where donors matter less and merit matters more; where results match rhetoric; and where policies live up to the Party's creed of service to the people, social justice and a mixed economy."
The statement adds that "at critical junctures, in Government and in Opposition, Mark stood firm in defending the interests of the 99% from the assaults of the 1%, refusing to be bullied into submission."
But it is not that now, now that seat is in play. But, as party leader Francis Fonseca told reporters on Friday, the party sort of expected it, and all weekend the Party's movers and shakers scrambled to come up with a solid replacement.
"We are saddened of course by the decision from the gentleman from Albert and Lake Independence in their decision not to contest the upcoming general elections. However its their personal choice and as a party we respect that."
"We respect their decision and as all of us have said today, we have to move on, it is with absolute`pride, it is with absolute enthuisiasm that the national executive and the standard berers of the People's United Party this morning, embrace and zccepted our new candidates into the fold in the persons of Yolanda Schakron for the Lake Independence division and Mr. David Craig for the Albert Division. The PUP Lake Independence Committee has given their full unconditional unwavering support to the candidacy of Yolanda Schakron."
But it is not that simple in the Albert division where the Committee stood down along with Mark Espat.
"Mr. Espat, the party leader has made very clear, has done a lot of work in that area. That area is PUP and has been PUP. So we stand on the work of that hard working committee, and on the work of Mark in bringing the best possible things to everybody in that area. I will hit the ground running. This is not even a race. this is going to be a sprint."
"Party leader, can you allow me please? I want to make absolutely clear that when the Honorable Francis Fonseca did not attend the convention in Dangriga is simply becuause he was ill. I spoke to him personally over the phone and he could hardly speak at that time. It was at no time that he was trying to undermine me or the party."
Dondre Brannon was an 18 year old going to evening school at Gwen Liz - but last night he was shot as he walked home.
It happened around 8:30 while he was riding on Central American Boulevard, and at the corner of Iguana Street in Belize City, an unidentified man fired a single shot which caught him in the midsection.
"Jules, at this point I don't want to speculate; I want the police to do their job and find out exactly what happened, so I will not answer that until I really get some more answers on it, but it looks like more of a target hit to me."
One hour after Brannon was shot, another youth was chopped up near the Matron Roberts Clinic.
23 year-old Shane Jones was chopped to the head while he was walking on a pathway that links Johnson Street with Magazine Road Belize City, next to the Matron Roberts Health Center.
Belize's first trial without jury is set to commence in the courtroom of Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin.
In his speech for this year's opening, CJ Benjamin had indicated that trial without jury would start in this legal year, but he had not indicated when.
Both men asked the court to grant them an adjournment so they could tie up loose ends with their legal assistance.
The matter was adjourned for Wednesday morning at 9:00 before the Chief Justice, Kenneth A. Benjamin.
In mid-December we showed you a story on Capital Energy's work in Southern Belize where villagers from the five so called 'buffer communities' of Barranco, Midway, Sundaywood, Conejo, Crique Sarco and Corazon had been employed by the oil company and had nothing bad to say about it.
These pictures show that the Mena's were locked out of the compound today because the receiver Craig Waterman had moved in and locked them out.
Since 2008, Challenge Gobie, an annual bike-a-thon has been raising funds for the treatment of sicknesses such as Cancer, HIV/Aids and Diabetes. This year's funds are geared toward the construction of a top-of-the-line Children's intensive care Unit at the Karl Heusner Memorial hospital located in Belize City. The Gobie Challenge Foundation is working with Kim Simpliss Barrow, KHMH, Project Cure, The Ministry of Health and Special Envoy for Women and Children in order to make this possible. The ride took place on Saturday, coinciding with World Cancer Day, and it met with success. CEO in the Ministry of Health Peter Allen explained the worthy cause behind the ride:..
"Riding is already a tough sport and some of you all I see. I pass you all on the road, but what makes it more important is what you do it for, and trust me, there is nothing greater that you can do it for than the two powerful causes you are doing it for today - children and cancer. I am certainly proud, and I am glad you all could be out here, at one o'clock in the morning to ride so that we can work along with people like those guys whose can get help for the children."
"How long have we been working now? Five years ladies and gentlemen, five years, at the Gobie Challenge Foundation. But I wanted you all to know that especially today, you are raising funds for a brand new wing at the Karl Heusner memorial hospital, which will house the pediatric intensive care unit. You're already well on your way to raising over a million dollars; over a million dollars ladies and gentlemen."
"Well we went to do some cutting this morning and when we were cutting, we came across 3 snakes. We know that the Chinese normally buy them, so we bring them out because we know they are dangerous to people and their pets."
