The last time Steven Buckley made our newscast, was back in February 2015 when he ended up in jail for unpaid court fines for drug possession charges. That's a long way from that day of relief back in August 2013, when he got a 50 thousand dollar partial payment from the Government of Belize as compensation after a police officer shot him in the face for no reason.
But, now, that money is all spent. And while he waits for an opportunity to sue for the rest of that compensation, he's also complaining that the criminal case has not happened as yet.
Police Inspector Dennis Lopez is out on bail, awaiting trial for attempted murder. He was the officer who allegedly shot Buckley. That shooting happened back in April 2010, and since Lopez's criminal charges, there has been no trial.
Today, Buckley stopped by our office to complain about what he sees as preferential treatment for the officer:
Steven Buckley - Complains Case Delayed
"From I went to the court and asked about the case, they said the case doesn't have any judge to deal with this case and I asked them why? They said they don't have any judge. This year they said they were supposed have a judge. They are not sure if they will have a judge to do it, but they said they will have a judge to help me with this case, to carry on the case. So that is why I want to know why the case is prolonged because if it was me who shot the police man what do you think would have happened to me? They would have already locked me up at jail."
Daniel Ortiz, reporter
"If I'm not mistaken, this case and this outcome determines your civil suit against the police as well right?"
Steven Buckley - Complains Case Delayed
"That is the hold up as well. The civil case is the one I'm waiting on and that is the one that is being held back. I am praying for that to come, because I had spent the little money that I got. I at least try to take care of my family with it and the rest, I tried to pay off people who I owed. I don't owe anyone know so when I get the rest of my money I could balance myself and build my little house. The way I see it, they will push back this case because it's a police man. So it looks like they will push back this case. It's taking forever and the more they are pushing back this case the more I am suffering."
Buckley told us he hopes that by making his public complaint to us, the prosecuting authorities will take notice and take steps to advance the case to a trial.
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