Posted: Thursday, March 13, 2025. 5:43 pm CST.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: After more than six years awaiting trial, 23-year-old Jahiem Castillo has been acquitted of the murder of 37-year-old Cyril Gladston Jones and the attempted murder of Marlon Hinds. However, despite his acquittal, Castillo remains behind bars for an unrelated conviction.
The trial, which began in February, concluded on Thursday when Justice Candace Nanton upheld a no-case submission made by Castillo’s attorney, Orson “OJ” Elrington. The judge ruled that the prosecution’s case was too weak to proceed, resulting in Castillo’s release from these charges.
The charges stemmed from a November 13, 2018, shooting in San Pedro. Jones, a father of two, was shot in the face and killed after responding to a whistle outside his home. Moments later, the gunman allegedly fired shots at Hinds, a contractor, who later identified Castillo as the shooter. However, Hinds did not witness Jones’ murder firsthand.
Elrington successfully argued that the case against Castillo relied solely on Hinds’ identification, which was flawed. While Hinds described the shooter as “red-skinned, slim-built, with an afro and about 5’2” tall,” two other prosecution witnesses, including Jones’ wife, described the gunman as dark-skinned. The defense also challenged the validity of Hinds’ identification, which was done without Castillo’s consent.
At the start of the trial, prosecutors introduced three police statements from Hinds under the Evidence Act, which allows statements to be admitted when a witness is too fearful to testify. However, despite their admission, the court found the evidence insufficient to secure a conviction.
Justice Nanton ruled that the case was too weak to continue and withdrew the charges, setting Castillo free on this matter. However, he remains in the Belize Central Prison, where he is serving time for a separate conviction from 2024.
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The post Jahiem Castillo acquitted of 2018 murder, remains in prison for separate conviction appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Thursday, March 13, 2025. 5:43 pm CST. By Breaking Belize News Staff: After more than six years awaiting trial, 23-year-old Jahiem Castillo has been acquitted
The post Jahiem Castillo acquitted of 2018 murder, remains in prison for separate conviction appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
