Dale Tillett Was only 19 when he was fatally wounded by a gunshot at the Palm Island nightclub on New Year's Eve 2011. Three and a half years later, the man accused of firing the gun that killed the fourth former, walked out of court a free man. The outcome of the trial without jury has left Tillett's family deeply bruised by what they feel is justice denied. But, in the aftermath of the July verdict, they didn't have any public eruption of outrage - they grieved privately that their son and brother would not get the justice they believe he deserved. Yesterday, though, after weeks of quiet agony, Dale's mother spoke for the first time. Monica Bodden has her story:
Pamela Ferguson - Mother of Dale Tillett
"When I got that call that my son got shot I was at work and I felt frustrated, I didn't know what to do and I just start to pray and cry."
Monica Bodden reporting
Pamela Ferguson remembers the early morning phone call that she received on New Year's Eve 2011.
She was at work, when they had informed her that her oldest child - 19 year old Dale Tillett- was shot to the head inside the compound of the then popular Palm Island nightclub.
Since the incident almost 3 years ago, it is her first time sitting down in an interview to talk about her son's murder.
Pamela Ferguson- Mother of Dale Tillett
"It's painful, no justice is in Belize especially if you don't have any money. I am a single mother and I really want to see justice because life is hard and for them to take away your baby - that's my first child. I was in 4th form when I got pregnant with my child and I know that my son would have been a good role model for the rest of my children. It hurts me bad and up to today I still cry. I love my son Dale Tillett."
FILE: JANUARY 3, 2012
Jules Vasquez reporting
The very violent New Year's Eve started here at Palm Island at 4:00 am - when we are told there was a fistfight - which led to gunplay. 32 year old Renan Briceno Jr. - who was reportedly looking out for one of his friends who had been beaten - allegedly fired his weapon - a licensed 9 millimeter pistol, at an approaching crowd and shot 19 year old Dale Tillett, a fourth former of #87 George Street to the head.
As this amateur cell phone video shows at the time of the incident - after being shot, Dale fell to the ground unconscious and bystanders carted him into the backseat of a Taxi.
He held on to life for four and a half days on a ventilator machine, before he succumbed to his injuries.
The following day 32 year old Renan Briceno Jr - the accused- was charged with his murder. It was a relief for this grieving mother and a step closer to getting justice for her dead son.
Monica Bodden
"Do you know what really went on that night?"
Pamela Ferguson- Mother of Dale Tillett
"Ma'am I don't have any idea because like I said I wasn't there, but Briceno gun was hot and lots of evidence was there, so I don't see how he just walk like that - like a free man. Those judges are not thinking for poor people."
Pamela may never know what happened that morning her son was shot outside of the Palm Island nightclub in front of many eyewitnesses.
On July 16th, after serving 2 and a half years on remand, Renan Briceno, nephew of Orange Walk Central Area Rep, John Briceno, walked out of the courtroom a free man - after Justice Troadio Gonzalez found him not guilty in a trial without jury.
Meanwhile a devastated Pamela Ferguson and her young son left the courthouse in tears, bitterly dissatisfied at the outcome.
Monica Bodden
"Take us back to the court room when the verdict was read not guilty?"
Pamela Ferguson - Mother of Dale Tillett
"Whoa, it's like the world was crumbling on me. I didn't know where to turn to. It's painful and all I could have done was just burst out of crying and thanks to my second son Anthony Winston Ferguson - he was right there like a husband, a son to me. It was painful bad, but I really wanted justice. Like I say "money talk, bullshit walks." If I had money it would have been a battle, but just because we are black and poor and the Bricenos they have money - they got away."
Pamela still clings to the memories she has of her son to get her through her days. Today she and I took a walk to his graveside - this is something she does on a regular basis.
Pamela Ferguson - Mother of Dale Tillett
"My son already did all his CXCs - I didn't even courage to go to the graduation when they invited us. That was just going to bring me more frustration."
Monica Bodden
"There are times when you still think about him, you remember any good memories of Dale?"
Pamela Ferguson - Mother of Dale Tillett
"Good memories. Dale was a loving son. He use to always tell me 'take care of Britney,' he loved his little sister. He said 'mommy, do two things for me; give her her tea in the morning and give her her tea in the night' and he will prepare her meal in the afternoon and he did it. He was a father to Britney. My oldest child was a father to Britney. Many days I would sit down and cry and some days I go to the grave. I could remember a year we have a birthday party in the burying ground. It's hard, very hard. Up to today I still moan and I cry."
In a system where justice seldom prevails for the less fortunate, Pamela says she is still hanging on to the hope that maybe something might change and get her the justice she and her family deserves.
Monica Bodden
"Do you think that you are going to get justice some day for you son?"
Pamela Ferguson - Mother of Dale Tillett
"I would hope so because that's not a dog that they killed, that's a human being, a son, a brother, a family member, friend and everything in one. Not even the dogs are getting killed on the streets like that."
The DPP's office is expected to appeal the outcome of that trial.
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