A month ago, we told you about the high profile case out of San Pedro involving the American couple, David and Anke Doehm. They were charged with cruelty to a child for the death of their 13 year-old adopted daughter, Faye Lin Cannon, after a week of being investigated but not charged with murder. Well, they've been out on bail, living in Belize City, staying under the radar while they await today's adjournment of their case in the Magistrate's Court.
The DPP's Office committed to provide partial disclosure to them so that they can see the evidence that the police has amassed against them for the questionable death of their daughter. Crown Counsel Jacqueline Willoughby showed up, and did just that. She handed over a sheaf of police witnesses statements that she intends to use to convict them of the negligence which directly led to Faye's death.
That means that the couple is one step closer to facing a full trial for the offense, and after the hearing, we asked Crown Counsel Willoughby for an interview. She explained briefly that there are 24 witness statements against them so far, and she is hoping that at the next adjournment, she's provide them with the rest of the prosecution's evidence:
Daniel Ortiz, reporter
"What exactly was provided to the 2 defendants today?"
Jacqueline Willoughby, Crown Council
"Mostly statements. We are still waiting for the other scientific matters."
Daniel Ortiz, reporter
"Are you able to give us a broad overview of the number of statements that have been provided to the defendants and maybe a broad summary of the contents of those statements if you would?"
Jacqueline Willoughby, Crown Council
"I will tell you that there are about 25 or so statements. In terms of the contents, that will be left for the trial."
Daniel Ortiz, reporter
"So what exactly is left for the rest of the disclosure to be delivered by September 20th?"
Jacqueline Willoughby, Crown Council
"Scientific matters, like perhaps you test like the other test that may have been done on tissue and that kind of thing. The fact is the DPP office doesn't do testing. And so it is going to be heavily reliant on whatever circumstances out there. But I don't think that it would be wise for me to comment on whether or not I am certain or not. I am just going to say is we are relying on the people who conduct this kind of work to be completed and if it done, then we go. If not, as you may have heard in court, we have agreed that if there has to be any changes we will communicate and change in necessary."
The case has been adjourned for September 20, when the results of those forensic tests are expected to be to be in. If the DPP's Office is able to provide the rest of the disclosure, the preliminary inquiry will take place on October 5. If the results are not ready, the PI will be rescheduled for a later date.
As we reported, on Monday July 3, the Doehms called San Pedro police to their condominium unit on Northern Ambergris Caye where they lived for 3 years before Faye's death.
Anke Doehm told police that Faye woke up at around 7 a.m. that day, asked for some water and went back to bed. 15 minutes later, David Doehm found her unresponsive. A doctor confirmed that she died, but it was not a natural death. She had multiple bruises on the arms and legs, and a swelling on the right side of her head, which had a cut. The results of a postmortem examination revealed that she had been physically and sexually abused. The examination found that she died from chest compression. Someone pressed down on her chest hard enough that the pressure broke 3 of her ribs and punctured her heart.
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