It is the biggest money laundering trial in Belize's history - and today it ended dramatically.
In 2008, The Financial Intelligence Unit accused the Coye Family of money laundering using their Moneygram operation.
But in October of 2010, 2 years after the charges were first laid, the case ended rather abruptly when Justice Adolph Lucas directed the jury to acquit Michael and Marlene Coye; their daughter, Melonie Coye; her husband James Gerou; brother, Jude Coye; and their two employees Athlee Matute and Dietrick Kingston, all because of lack of evidence.
The FIU got a retrial, and a year and 10 months later, they brought the case back before the Chief Justice, and the accused persons were forced to submit themselves for an examination of their lives a second time by the courts.
This time, the FIU only charged Michael Coye; his daughter, Melonie Coye; their 2 employees, Athlee Matute and Dietrick Kingston; and the family's company, Money Exchange International Limited, a subsidiary agent, which answers to Omni Networks Limited, which was the the master agent representing MoneyGram International in Belize.
According to the FIU, between the months of October 2007 and December 2008, the defendants received, possessed, or concealed 1.57 million Belize dollars knowing that it is the proceeds of the crime of fraud, and forgery.
Viewers may remember that this 1.57 million dollars was found stuffed in suitcases at Michael Coye's home at #12 Johnson Street back on December 31, 2008.
Today, that case came to a close with today, after a 3-week trial, and after more than 3 hours of deliberation, a jury of 9 convicted all defendants with a 7-2 majority verdict.
The media spoke to their lead attorney, Arthur Saldivar, outside of court, and he told us that they will appeal this decision.
Arthur Saldivar, attorney for Coye's
"The jury after listening to the case for 3 weeks came back with a verdict of guilty for all accused. Certainly it was a shocking turn of events considering that the persecution didn't even bother to try to prove its own case. You as a reporter will look at the indictment that was placed before the jury in the court of Justice Lucas which basically was an indictment brought to show that the accused actually engaged actively in the engendering of property that were deemed proceed of crime and that case ended with an acquittal by the judge on the basis that the persecution couldn't prove that anything that was found on 12 Johnson Street was actually the proceeds of crime. Nothing new came to this case except a new indictment. An indictment that basically sought to show that the accused persons received property that were the proceeds of crime."
"If you cannot show that they were involved in activities that created funds that were the proceeds of crime, how in God's name can you show that they were involved in either directly or indirectly in receiving funds."
Daniel Ortiz
"Obviously the jury did not agree with your view."
Arthur Saldivar, attorney for Coye's
"Of course they have a right to do that. That's the idea and the judge of facts. But here is the fact. There was no evidence of any transaction resulting in any money. None whatsoever, there was no evidence of any monies coming out of any account going to anybody, none whatsoever. There was no evidence either in cheque or wire transfer of monies coming from any source, any source whatsoever."
Rowland Parks, reporter
"So is this the end of the line for the Coye matter or are you going to appeal?"
Arthur Saldivar, attorney for Coye's
"Hell no. This case was riddled with irregularities and will be appeal. It's hard to say what a jury would have thought. I thank the jury for the time that they spent. I certainly appreciate the fact that they took the time to listen to the case. I believe that they deliberated. What I believe is that maybe the case was a bit too long somewhat confusing for them and at the end of the day I don't believe the result they came to was the right one."
Chief Justice Benjamin has deferred sentencing until August 8, to give all the defendants an opportunity to prepare a mitigation plea.
In addition to Saldivar, the defendants were also represented by attorneys Bryan Neal and Dickie Bradley.
The prosecution was represented by Antoinette Moore, Tricia Pitts-Anderson, and Pat Arana.
Director of the FIU - Marilyn Williams told us it is not just a victory for the FIU, it is a victory for the entire country.
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