And while the lawyers are through with their arguing - for this round at least - for the public, the burning question raised by the petition remains unanswered: Did King have a government contract?
After the hearing, King, who has been silent for several weeks now, told the media that his security company does indeed have this contract.
It's seems safe territory now, and when he was asked to comment on it, he was very forthcoming.
Here's what he had to say:
Daniel Ortiz
"We still only have the allegation that this contract exists? Does your side have any actual proof?"
Lisa Shoman - Attorney for Martin Galvez
"No, there isn't only an allegation. We actually exhibited the contract that we're complaining of, and that is contained in the petition. It's there; it's always been there since the leave stage. There is a contract between Brints Security Service and the Government of Belize, and that is signed by Mark King."
Marion Ali - Love News
"As far as the contract is concerned now, would you be privy - would you be willing to share with the public what's the scope and nature of the contract?"
Hon. Mark King - House of Representative Status Was Questioned
"Absolutely not, still, simply because of the fact that the attorney just explained that it doesn't matter if you have a contract, it does not apply to this provision. Whatever my company, Brints Security, have, whatever I have personally, that is not public knowledge unless the law requires me to give that to the public, then it should be public knowledge, so at this point, no."
Daniel Ortiz
"But you do concede Brints Security exists."
Hon. Mark King
"Brints Security exists, and it has many contracts, yes."
Marion Ali
"And it does provides services to the Government."
Hon. Mark King
"It provides services to a lot of people."
Marion Ali
"Including the Government."
Hon. Mark King
"A lot of people."
It is expected that this decision from Chief Justice Benjamin to strike out Galvez's election petition will directly influence David Craig's petition against Albert's Herman Longsworth since the premise is very similar.
That petition is still pending before Justice Michelle Arana.
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