At 1:00 this afternoon, the legal community and the wider society was shocked when news went out that prominent Belizean Senior Counsel, Michael Young had been found dead in his home in Bella Vista, Belize City. Media reports say that his wife found him in the master bathroom dead at around 1:00. Reports say a gunshot was heard an hour earlier at around noon in the quiet Bella Vista area. Police found Young's licensed firearm on the ground beside him. He had a single gunshot to the head. No suicide note was found.
According to reports, the 61-year-old Young showed up to work as usual this morning, and left the office early at around 11:00. It is presumed that he went straight home where, reports say, Young took his own life. This is not confirmed and police would not confirm it. In fact, they wouldn't even confirm that young is dead, that is even after we saw medical examiner Dr. Mario Estradaban leaving Young's home, and a covered body in the back of a police pickup leaving the residence. Senior Superintendent Linden Flowers, still denied that Young's injuries were fatal. Here's what he told the media...
Sr. Supt. Linden Flowers, OC, Police Precinct 4
"Behind me we are processing the scene of Mr. Michael Young, senior counsel, where Mr. Young was injured as a result of an incident at that residence."
Reporter
"Can you confirm that he is fatally injured?"
Sr. Supt. Linden Flowers, OC, Police Precinct 4
"My information so far that he is seriously injured. I arrive here on the scene at about 35 minutes ago and my detectives along with other detectives from the main eastern division north is on the scene. I have no immediate contact with them. I have not gotten any confirmation. When I arrived here is that Mr. Michael Young is injured at his residence."
Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Sir, we just saw the police let in Dr. Mario Estradabran if I'm not mistaken. A medical examiner suggests that the injury was fatal."
Sr. Supt. Linden Flowers, OC, Police Precinct 4
"I did not see Dr. Estradabran. I also know that another medical practitioner has been summoned to the scene. However I cannot confirm that Dr. Mario Estradabran entered."
So...very little information about the circumstances of the shooting has been released to the media. But police are doing a thorough forensic investigation to determine whether Young indeed killed himself - which is the working theory, but still unconfirmed. Today, forensics, scenes of crime sand ballistics personnel combed the home for clues - and, for now at least, police haven't seen anything to indicate that it was not a suicide.
But, whatever the circumstances we do know that one of Belize's leading attorneys is suddenly gone, under circumstances that many in his profession say are incomprehensible. Today, Mayor Darrell Bradley who first worked with Young when he entered the legal practice, described him as "an icon of the legal profession." He adds, "But more than that he was a teacher and friend. He taught me and many others how to be good lawyers and how to value character and principles and he inspired me to always work to be better. He will certainly be missed by all those young lawyers who came under his tutelage and we will sing his praises and continue to appreciate him for his wisdom, his gentle correction and his witty humor."
In the media we knew Michael Young as one of the most approachable and easygoing members of the legal fraternity, always willing to share an insight, grant an interview, and, as Bradley said, to offer instruction, as he did in this 2016 interview, in the famous "witchcraft" trial.
Michael Young - SC, Attorney for the Defendant
"All of this has to do in a sense with freedom of speech in a robust political community and that's why in the end we said this is an overreaction. You attacked the returning officer, you did so with some very colourful language particularly at the end and then you jump up and say I am so hurt? No but it is a matter for the court."
Young also held an executive post on the UDP as legal advisor.
Michael Young, dead at 61.
Email
Print