Today it caused quite a stir in downtown Belize City when the US couple held for the death of their daughter, Anke and David Doehm were transferred to Belize City.
Police brought the couple via boat to Centre Point building on North Front Street at around 11:30 this morning. They wore handcuffs and were escorted into the building, but then put back in the boat when too much of a media hubbub was created.
The couple was then taken to another location where they were put in a police vehicle. As we understand it, David Doehm has been remanded for drug possession since he could not pay the $185.00 dollar fine he got yesterday when he pleaded guilty to having valium without a prescription.
Anke Doehm is being questioned - we are told - in connection with child pornography since this has now emerged as a possible factor in this case.
And while we thought they would remain in custody, this evening in Belmopan, the Police Commissioner told the press that that they are to be released. That's after almost a week in detention. He outlined how the investigators carefully avoided violating their constitutional rights:
Allen Whylie - Commissioner of Police
"My understanding is that the two individuals were detained pending the investigation. They were subsequently charged for possession of drugs and were remanded by a Justice of the Peace. They appeared in court I believe it was Monday evening. One of the individual plead guilty, the other was released by the court. The individual who plead guilty I understand the fine was to be paid forthwith. He was unable to pay his fine and so a warrant of commitment was issued for that individual. He, along with his wife I understand were transported to Belize City today. He would have been taken to the prison to serve his time, but I understand that his fine has since been paid."
"The female was re-detained to look at the issue of pornography. I think that the investigators have gone through some of their equipment and the photo that they have seen, the legal advice given by our legal advice I understand that it would not amount to pornography and so I believe that both individuals may have been released from police custody already."
"It's a heinous crime in my view and a difficult crime to investigate, because of the fact that it occurred within the privacy of their home and it occurred within one family and so the investigators have been interviewing along with social the members of the family, in particular the children and we've submitted what we had to the DPP."
"I don't think we are at the stage that we can charge until we hear from the DPP whether or not what we have is sufficient to do so."
"There is always concern in terms of when these cases occur and foreigners are involved, that they may flee the jurisdiction. That is not to say that we are at the stage where we can charge anyone, but obviously they were the parents and should be able to account for any injuries that happened to their child."
So, as you heard, for all the public outrage on San Pedro, police have no further cause to detain them at this time. We've checked with DPP Cheryl-Lynn Vidal who told us that she is reviewing the investigation file all the statements that have been sent to her so far. Police say that they are awaiting her instructions on how they should proceed with the case.
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