7 News Belize

A Protest for Suzenne
posted (October 4, 2012)
The Jasmine Low protests in San Ignacio in June made history when the community came together and demanded justice. And more than justice, they wanted a lynching of her alleged killer, Bert Vasquez.

And today in San Ignacio, they came out for the latest murder victim, Suzenne Martinez - who was found murdered yesterday morning. That visceral rage was not there, but instead Jules Vasquez found a hardened resolve to demand that justice be done. Here's his story:...

Jules Vasquez reporting
Columbus Park, in the center of San Ignacio town was the sight of a hastily arranged impromptu protest to town meeting this afternoon.

The crowd was not as energized or as outraged as they were for Jasmine Lowe, but that is understandable because Suzenne Martinez was not missing for days like Jasmine; she disappeared one night, and was found dead the next morning.

Her friends, family and supporters still had a strong and clear message though; they want justice for Suzenne, and they want it swiftly.

Juliana Guerra, wants justice
"To our leaders, we are not asking anymore! we are demanding action now! When they are in the House of Representative fighting among each other's that who grab whatever, the criminals are organizing on a next prey."

"We are demanding our leaders to do something now! and if they cannot do it then let the people take action."

Marcel Bedran, CHMN - Cayo Neighborhood Watch Association
"This weekend that pass there were 7 murders in this country. We've jumped the 100th murder and we are just starting the month of October. Last year was 128, the year before was 132 - you tell me when will we draw the red line and so anything after this we need - drastic situation calls for drastic measures."

But it's bigger than Suzenne; it's about the community again venting its outrage about having their females being victimized, and really a community frightened by its own vulnerability.

Marcel Bedran
"This is about us coming out to support the Martinez family, the Jasmine Lowe family, the Roberts family - it's about us coming out and asking the hard question like I was just interviewed. Why are we afraid to talk about capital punishment when the whole country is talking about it. What are we afraid of talking about who are responsible for releasing a guy on bail into our society that has such a record."

Ernie Braun, Vice Chair - Cayo Neighborhood Watch Association
"This is not the first time we see somebody who is in police custody gets out on bail and as they are out on bail the commit offences again. Why is it so easy to get bail? Why do majority of these criminals walk free? Who is in charge here? "

All those big statements seemed to flight right with Suzenne's parents. They were right there in the center of the park, devastated by the lost - no doubt still in shock.

All they know right now is that their 20 year-old daughter was found 36 hours ago on the street she lived her entire life. And no mother how many arms embraced them, or how many lips kissed them, there is no bringing back their daughter.

They declined an on-camera interview, but they told us, "For 20 years, we learned to live with her. We don't know how to live without her. And while they grieve, the community agitates on their behalf.

Marcel Bedran
"Will these rallies and demonstration and candle light vigils - will this bring the necessary awareness to the relevant authorities that will say we've been doing things this way for so long and we are not seeing progress, are we now going to continue that way or are we going to say let's make some changes and see what that bring about. I think we need now to sit down and say what's the next step, we need to go to one level higher."

But before they get to that next level, there will have to be a conviction.

Protestor
"We are going to make sure that when he is charged that he never ever gets out for what he has committed because it really hurts our society, it really hurts the parents of Suzenne and it really hurts all those friends and relatives who are out here - who are just thinking about their own daughters that are growing up not feeling safe. We can't have these predators preying on our daughters and preying on our young women."

And while they want a conviction - right now, they'll be lucky to get a charge. 7news has confirmed that the DPP has reviewed the file and found that there is insufficient evidence to charge the suspect for murder at this time.

The DPP will meet with the investigators tomorrow to instruct them on how to proceed in gathering sufficient evidence.

As for the suspect's connection to the murder in Belmopan - the DPP has not yet reviewed that file. We understand that the suspect was found with a cell phone containing a SIM card believed to have been stolen from Robert Lewis's home in Maya Mopan.

The suspect got out on bail last week Thursday where he had been remanded for a case of rape and robbery, which allegedly happened in Belmopan in March of 2011.

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