Tonight, 37 year old Edwin Bowen, a resident of Belize City who is originally of Gales Point manatee and known as "Manatee man " is starting to serve his 3 year prison term and figuring out how he will pay a $10,000 fine to the court after he lost his appeal today.
A week ago, things were looking up for him when he was granted a stay of execution and offered bail which allowed him to be home free until his appeal is heard in the matter.
That's because in February Bowen pleaded guilty to possession of 1.3 grams of crack cocaine. He was fined $10,000 and sentenced him to 3 years for the offense.
At his appeal hearing, his attorney Anthony Sylvester tried to argue that it seemed harsh for far less than an ounce of crack for a first time offender. But Justice Shona Griffith disagreed and affirmed Bowen's sentence, ordering him to return to jail to start over his 3 year sentence and pay the $10,000 fine to the court effective today - in default serve another three years in jail.
He had paid $5,000 forthwith so that sum was deducted today and so he will only serve an additional 2 years instead of 3 - bringing his total sentence to 5 years.
It was a sad moment in court for Bowen who broke into tears over the new longer sentence. Attorney Sylvester says he plans to appeal the case to the highest level.
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