7 News Belize

Justice For Justin
posted (February 13, 2015)
In December of 2010, Justin Jones was killed in Ontario Village at a wake. It happened in front of his common-law-wife and 14 month old baby. The young father was leaving the wake with his family when he was stabbed in the head. He died in his wife's arms. Now, over four years later, his family says they have finally gotten justice. 39 year old Godwin Santos was today convicted of murder and was sentenced to life in prison. His mother-in-law Joan Sutherland was crying what she called tears of joy today. Monica Bodden spoke with her an hour ago.

Joan Sutherland, Mother-in-Law
"Monica, the way I feel, nobody could understand. When they killed Allen Sutherland, my son, I was hurt, I was down to the last, but now, I could scream and I could shout and I could say thank you sweet Jesus, we got what we deserved - justice. Justice that we hardly get in Belize. So we got justice today - life imprisonment and I say thank you sweet Jesus. All day, I was a bit nervous, I sat down and I wonder, I lay down, I came home and I tried to keep myself busy, not to think that I am going to get the worse of it. But while I was doing laundry, my daughter scream out and say "princesa, I have good news" I look through the window and I said what, I said he got year true and she said no, life imprisonment. Right away washing stop Monica. I mean, it's a really good feeling."

Lisa Sutherland, Common-Law-Wife
"I can't even find words to explain myself how I feel. When I got the news my hands were trembling, my heart was beating fast. I didn't know what to do. It feels good, it's a good feeling. During the case we got mixed reaction from up in Belmopan and we got news that the boy was to walk because of certain evidence that got lost and what's not, but I talked to Mr. Cecil Ramirez, every day I called him most of the time. I follow up the case and he told me that my word that I went to say in the court - that was strong evidence because I was the "I see" witness and I hold my word and I said what I saw."

Joan Sutherland, Mother-in-Law
"The feeling, is unspeakable. It's a feeling that you could not explain. You can only show how you feel. I mean, there is tears running, but its tears of joy. Justin lived with me for so many years, so he was part of my family. I took him like my own son."

Lisa Sutherland, Common-Law-Wife
"I feel like I did my part I carry it out to the last. Justin already died, my part was to go on the stand and do the best I could. Whatever I saw, say what I say and it's a good feeling and I feel like Justin is smiling up there because I did good, because would be afraid to testify. Some people wouldn't want to go, Justin already died, why would you want to follow up that? Move on with your life - no. For my son, I did it. So I can look on him years from now and say that mommy gone and testify for you daddy and he got life imprisonment because of what I said."

Monica Bodden
"How does it feel to get justice for your nephew?"

Aunt of the deceased
"Definitely I know everybody is happy right about now, especially my sis. I feel good about it because we've waiting for years for an answer and then the answer came up today."

Monica Bodden
"Its definitely closure for you guys?"

Aunt of the deceased
"Definitely."

Justin Jones's son is now five years old - and is an honor student at All Saints Primary School.

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