7 News Belize

Accused Cop Cleared After 3 Years
posted (April 23, 2013)
Police Corporal Jorge Lemus, has been on interdiction for almost 3 years, but tonight, he's now free of a charge of manslaughter for the death of O'neil Jones.

The incident occurred on February 12, 2010 at Lord's Bank, when Jones was shot in his back as he exited a bar. Eyewitnesses pointed to the officers who responded to a report of a fight, and they even claimed that Jones only had the part of a bicycle in his hand when the officers over-reacted and shot him to death.

Lemus was charged 3 months later with manslaughter, all through that time, he maintained his innocence. His trial was called up last week before Justice Lucas, and Crown Council Kayshia Grant called 8 witnesses to testify against him.

one of the witnesses could put Lemus on the scene during the time of the shooting, and so, his defense attorney, Simeon Sampson, made a no-case submission when the prosecution closed its case.

Today, after considering all the evidence, Justice Lucas ruled that Lemus had no case to answer to, so he directed a jury of 9 to acquit Lemus, setting him free. Lemus has told 7News before this trial began that he will fight to keep his job as a police officer.

Another police officer, police constable Lazaro Cach, was charged with abatement to manslaughter in relation to O'neil's, but his case has not been brought to trial yet.

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