7 News Belize

Man Accused Of Stealing From A Bank, Acquitted
posted (February 16, 2012)
Earlier this evening, a Jury of 6 women and 3 men found 23 year-old William Stevens not guilty of 5 counts of theft in the courtroom of Justice Adolph Lucas.

It was alleged that he stole $43,000 from his former place of employment, Caye International Bank Limited which is located on San Pedro. Caye International is an offshore banking institution which claims to do business exclusively with international clients.

According to the allegation, between the months of April to October 2007, Williams stole the bank's money by abusing the company's cheque book.

The prosecutor in the case, Trenia Young, called the 3 senior executive members of the Bank to the stand: Joy Flowers, Odway Flowers and Tricia Villanueva.

Joy Flowers testified that Williams, who was 19 at the time, was given access to the company's cheque book where he could access accounts at other financial institutions and make transfers for the clients, after written documentation were presented to the executive members.

In the first 3 counts, it was alleged that he used the banks cheques to transfer money to Everett Caine's account, who is a friend of the defendant. Caine took the stand and testified that Stevens transferred $16,000 into his account in three different installments, for reasons which include purchasing a vehicle. In the last two counts, Steven's was accused of using $10,000 of the bank's money to pay the first installment on an Isuzu D-Max from Bravo Motors, and an additional $17,000 to pay for a parcel of land.

Steven's attorney Tricia Pitts - Anderson cross-examined Joy Flowers and put it to her that they agreed to give Steven's a loan, which she denied, saying that the bank doesn't do business with Belizeans.

In his defence, Stevens spoke from the dock saying that the 3 senior executives gave him the money as a loan, and that he didn't steal anything. He also said that the jury should be careful of Caine's intentions because he may be a co-conspirator with the executives trying to set him up.

The jury deliberated for 2 hours and 15 minutes and returned with 5 unanimous verdicts of not guilty. As a result, Stevens walked out of court a free man.


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