And in relation to the final case for which police have made arrests, 20 year-old Ibrahim Smith is on remand for the murder of 22 year-old Williams Felix Francis.
One month ago, Francis was at his brother's house on Mahogany Street when a gunman shot him twice in the left hand, once to the left side of his chest, once the back of his neck, and once in the right eye. He died on the spot.
Police investigated for a month, and over the weekend they charged 20 year-old Ibrahim Smith.
He was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith, who remanded him until January 31, 2012.
If the name Ibrahim Smith seems familiar to you, it should. Viewers may remember that he was charged with attempted murder in April 2012 for the shooting of Desmond Gonzalez.
He was also charged in November of 2010 with manslaughter for the shot gun killing of 17 year-old Shenelle Reyes.
And if these extended murder investigations seem uncharacteristic, indeed, they are. Not too many years ago, arrests were made more quickly but latterly those have come to be known as statistical arrests that had an above average chance of falling apart in court.
Now the Officer in Charge of Criminal Investigations in the city says every move is made in accordance with the DPP's directives:
Supt. Alden Dawson - OC, CIB Belize City
"The policy there is to ensure that the DPP involved in every major case. And in the case of murder, she's the person who makes the decision of when the charge is laid, and she will not make that decision until she has all the evidence that she needs, and feels comfortable that there is enough that we can get a conviction."
ACP Elodio Aragon - OC, Eastern Division
"I think that the 3 murders that we've solved thus far have come a long way because of the cooperation of the public. I know that it is always a challenge for the public to come forward and assist the police department for several reasons, and I do think that we are working so that we could re-assure the public that the Police Department will do its job professionally, to ensure that we protect them as best as we can. But, I know that it is always a challenge in the public, especially in the neighborhoods where these people live."
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