In May, pastor and media personality Louis Wade was charged for common assault and using insulting words. The police said his victim was Robert Montero, the son of Minister Rene Montero. Wade says he was the victim - who was intimidated and almost run over by Robert Montero while he was doing his job - reporting on a matter of public interest.
But, the police thought otherwise, and confidently brought a case against Wade as the aggressor.
But, today, all the bluster by police amounted to nothing when the San Ignacio Magistrate shredded the prosecution's case and struck out the matter. He was ruling on a preliminary challenge brought by Wade's attorney, Stacey Grinage. She explained outside the San Ignacio courtroom:...
Stacey Grinage, Attorney for Louise Wade
"The magistrate has permanently stayed the proceedings against Mr. Wade and the matter has been struck out from the court. The magistrate agreed with our submissions that laid the laying of the charges one week before the limitation period was excessive in the circumstances and that it was delay that would amount to a breach of process."
"So the matter has been stayed and the magistrate made the point that it is not a complex case and so having regard to the minor offences then the accused prospects to any fair trial would be prejudice as well."
Louise Wade, Freed of Charges
"Very satisfied with the decision of the judge. We've been wondering when would good sense prevail and I am very glad that it's at the very first level that we encountered the justice system. My understanding of the decision is that had he allowed this case to proceed, it would, in the sight of the public, question the justice system, because of the length of time that the police take to bring a simple charge of insulting words and common assault to the court. Something went radically wrong here and I think we need to make sure that it doesn't happen again and if it could happen to me, a pastor in the country of Belize, everything I do from I am 16 is known to this country. What about the street boy?"
Wade says he will seek legal advice from a team of attorneys on whether he should now bring a lawsuit, presumably against the government.
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