7 News Belize

Bizarre Mistrial For Belizean Accused of Florida Triple Murder
posted (November 30, 2017)
Belizean Brian Hyde was accused of a sensational triple murder in Florida in August of 2015. He allegedly stabbed his aunt 37-year-old Dorla Pitts, his 17-year-old cousin, Starlette Pitts and her boyfriend 19-year-old Michael Kelly.

But, because he was illegally in the states his trial ended abruptly yesterday. Dorrien Pitts who is the husband of the deceased Dorla - had allowed Hyde to live in house. But he held his head after only a few minutes on the witness stand. That's because he slipped up and said that Hyde had been in the US illegally. Here's a report from local Florida Channel, Fox 4:


The judge agreed with Hyde's attorneys that immigration is such a polarizing issue in the states that it could prejudice the jury against the accused. Hyde's attorneys had filed a pre-trial motion that Hyde's immigration could not be brought up in court.

As the report noted - he will face a retrial - but no date has been set.

Hyde also faces a charge for the death of the Starlet Pitts and Kelly's unborn child.So that's a total of four second-degree murder charges.

The three victims were found with multiple cuts and slashes to their bodies. Sexual assault kits found evidence of semen comparable to Hyde's on the two women's bodies, Gardiner said. Hyde left 1-year-old A'Ziah Kelly alive in the home. She was found by deputies crying with blood on her, but unhurt.

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