The name of the Maya site Noh Mul burst into the national consciousness in 2013 when the media discovered that contractor Denny Grijalva's company De-Mars Construction was using the ancient ruin's limestone structure for quarry material for to pave village roads! It was a national and international outrage, and Grijlava, his wife and his foreman were charged for removing parts of an ancient monument, and causing the destruction of an ancient monument.
The case was tried by Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith and her written 16 page judgment was handed down today.
She minced no words and found Grijalva's defense lacking. She concluded, quote, "The damage to the mound is irreversible as the excavation has resulted in only the core being left. The Court understands the outrage experienced by the professionals at 'NICH'..."
She concludes, quote, "The Court finds the Crown to have proved all elements of the offences beyond a reasonable doubt and therefore finds the defendants guilty of all charges."
Grijalva's foreman had contended that while various pieces of De-Mar's equipment was used in the destruction of Noh Mul and found at the site, it had been commandeered by villagers from the area who wanted to use it to pave their streets. On this, the Chief Magistrate concluded, "The Court is of the view that the company and the directors i.e. Mr Denny Grijalva, Ms Emelda Grijalva and the project manager Mr Javier Nunez are to be held liable and accountable for the acts of its servants…for the criminal acts of those who illegally excavated Noh Mul. They are to be held accountable."
Sentence will be handed down later this week in Belize City - and we'll definitely have that for you.
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