24 year-old Keisha Banner is at prison tonight awaiting sentence after she was convicted of arson in the Supreme Court yesterday. She was accused of burning down her ex-boyfriend's house on January 13, 2011.
The crown counsels representing the DPP's office called 5 witnesses, but the main witness was Banner's ex-boyfriend, Dishon Rowland. Rowland took the stand and testified that on the day in question, he had an argument with Banner at his Vernon Street home.
He said that he saw a bottle of fuel on the kitchen cabinet of his 20 X 24 plywood house, and he decided to move it. He said that he left it in the yard, and left the house, only to receive a call 20 minutes later that his home was burning down.
Another prosecution witness placed Banner on the scene saying that she gave her a box of matches, and within minutes, she saw her exiting Rowland's house which was then caught fire.
Banner testified in her defence claiming innocence; she told the court that at the time of the fire, she was with her mother at the Belize Central Prison visiting a sick uncle. She said that while she was on her way there, she received a call saying that police was looking for her in connection with arson.
After considering all the evidence, a jury of 9 deliberated for less than 3 hours and found her guilty of the charge.
Justice Troadio Gonzalez has deferred sentencing until next week to give her time to prepare a mitigation plea.
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