After one year and four months in a Mexican federal jail, yesterday
a Mexican court of appeal judge ordered the release of Las Vegas Casino boss
George Hardie Jr. and his security guard Abner David Gomez. But the news tonight
is that Hardie and Gomez aren’t free men – not yet at least. That
is because they are now in the custody of Mexican immigration officials who
are “processing their papers.” Still, it’s now just a matter
of clearing the red tape.
Today we spoke to George Jr’s relieved father George Hardie Sr.,
the owner of the Las Vegas Casino by phone from the Corozal Free Zone. He told
us that as we reported last night, the Collegiate Federal Court determined that
there was not sufficient evidence to prosecute the men on charges of attempted
murder and carrying a firearm.
George Hardie Sr., Father
“That was appealed with one of the other security guards, David Gomez
appealed also, and the other two guys Curlin Thompson and Martin Miller opted
not to appeal but apply for a transfer under the transfer program.”
Keith Swift,
“Do you know why the judges reached that decision?”
George Hardie Sr.,
“Well I believe the order 150 pages so it was obviously carefully
thought out. The issue is the facts don’t support criminal charges against
these people. Our security guards and my sons were defending the property, my
son was in his house at the time the incident occurred. But the guards were
defending the property against an unruly drunken patron who had robbed and asked
to leave the property. He left and then came back with a gun.”
Keith Swift,
“Have you spoken to your son since you learnt of his release?”
George Hardie Sr.,
“Yes I have.”
Keith Swift,
“What has he told you?”
George Hardie Sr.,
“Well great relief and to me also to see justice has prevailed.”
Keith Swift,
“So you are looking forward to seeing your son?”
George Hardie Sr.,
“Well when he was in prison I saw him regularly but prison is prison.
While he was very well treated by the Mexicans, no complaints there, still a
prison is a prison and it is not a nice place to be.”
The Chetumal 4, which included Hardie along with Gomez and two other
security guards – Curlin Thompson and Martin Miller were arrested in July
of 2008 after an altercation with two Mexicans inside the casino and in Belizean
territory. Gunshots were fired and a Mexican was injured. The Chetumal 4 chased
the Mexicans across the border and that’s when they were arrested. The
Chetumal 4 were tried and convicted for attempted murder and for gun possession
for their 9 milimeter guns. Hardie, Gomez, and Thompson were sentenced to ten
years and six months in jail while Miller was given a 7 year sentence.
Again Hardie and Gomez should be released by Friday. It is unknown
when Curlin Thompson and Martin Miller will be transferred from the Mexican
federal jail to the Hattieville Prison.
Email
Print