Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2025. 10:10 pm CST.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Jason McKenzie, the man who shot and killed James Dorian Escarpeta on September 23, 2023, was sentenced on Wednesday to life imprisonment by Justice Derick Sylvester.
McKenzie, 32, was captured on video shooting Escarpeta in the head on West Street, Belize City, before looking directly into the camera—evidence that led to his arrest and charge. He pleaded guilty to murder on February 4, 2025.
Justice Sylvester set a starting sentence of 20 years but deducted McKenzie’s 1 year and 10 months remand time, resulting in a prison term of 18 years and 2 months effective from the date of the murder.
The judge praised McKenzie’s early guilty plea as a sign of taking responsibility and noted it earned him a substantial discount on the sentence.
McKenzie appeared calm and smiled as he was handed the sentence and escorted away to begin serving his time at the Belize Central Prison.
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The post Murderer Jason McKenzie sentenced to 18 years for killing James Escarpeta appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2025. 10:10 pm CST. By Breaking Belize News Staff: Jason McKenzie, the man who shot and killed James Dorian Escarpeta on September
The post Murderer Jason McKenzie sentenced to 18 years for killing James Escarpeta appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
