7 News Belize

Psychiatric Evaluation for Alleged Rapist
posted (February 6, 2017)
Tonight, 20 year-old Andre Knight, a Jamaican suspected to be mentally ill, is at the Belize Central Prison tonight after being taken to court for allegedly raping a 25 year-old Ladyville woman.

The victim reported to police that last Friday, at around 4:10 a.m., she was walking from a night club on the Phillip Goldson Highway, heading home. She said that when she arrived at the mile 9 and a quarter bus stop, a dark skinned man grabbed her and pulled her into some bushes. She said that when she resisted, he punched her in the face and then raped her.

Police investigated her report, and they charged Knight with the single offense of rape. He was arraigned today before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith. That's when the police prosecutor asked for a psychiatric evaluation to be done on him before the case could proceed any further. The Chief Magistrate agreed and remanded him to the Belize Central Prison until February 20, so that the evaluation can be done. She has also scheduled a preliminary inquiry in the case for April 28.

Court reports say that while Knight didn't show any signs of mental illness, he was acting up inside the court's holding cell area. He also appeared incoherent when he spoke to police. 7news has learnt that this is the third rape reported in the Ladyville area in a short time.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize