By Breaking Belize News Staff: Justice Nigel Pilgrim heard a mitigation plea on Tuesday on behalf of 30-year-old Mennonite national, David Friessen, who has pleaded guilty to manslaughter due to provocation in the death of his friend, Alexander Villamill, and has reserved sentencing for next week.
Friessen, who initially faced a murder charge, admitted on November 17, 2025, to the lesser count of manslaughter for the fatal strangling of Villamill on February 17, 2024. In court, Justice Pilgrim heard mitigation on his behalf, including a letter from two character witnesses presented in support of the convicted man.
As part of a plea agreement, the Crown proposed a recommended sentence of 13 years, a position that was accepted by Friessen’s defense, represented by attorney Abibi Moguel of Lynden Jones & Associates. Justice Pilgrim also listened to submissions on both the aggravating and mitigating factors relating to Friessen and the offense before deferring his final decision.
Sentencing has been set for December 17, 2025, when Justice Pilgrim will determine whether to adopt the 13-year recommendation.
According to agreed facts presented in court, on or about February 17, 2024, Friessen and Villamill had been socializing and drinking at A & East Restaurant & Bar in Maskall Village. Later that night, they left the establishment, with Friessen driving and agreeing to give Villamill a ride home since they were friends. Villamill was said to be heavily intoxicated.
During the drive, a verbal altercation broke out. Friessen pulled off the road and ordered Villamill to get out of the vehicle. When he refused, Friessen physically removed him from the vehicle. As he exited, Villamill took a red cable wire and used it to attack Friessen, choking him with one hand while striking him with the other, leading to a fight between the two.
In a police interview, Friessen said that after he managed to subdue Villamill and took the cable away, he began walking back to his vehicle. Villamill allegedly continued cursing at him, prompting Friessen to return, where another struggle ensued and Villamill fell to the ground. Friessen then got over him and used the cable to strangle him to death.
Friessen confessed that after strangling Villamill, he threw the body to the side of the road and went home to sleep, continuing with his life until he was arrested by police on February 22, 2024.
He was first charged with murder and later formally indicted on December 12, 2024, before Justice Pilgrim. He has now pleaded guilty to manslaughter, and his fate will be decided when the court delivers its sentence on December 17.
The post David Friessen awaits sentencing for manslaughter after strangling drinking buddy to death, dumping his body on side of the road and continuing life normally appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Justice Nigel Pilgrim heard a mitigation plea on Tuesday on behalf of 30-year-old Mennonite national, David Friessen, who has pleaded guilty to manslaughter due to provocation in the death of his friend, Alexander Villamill, and has reserved sentencing for next week. Friessen, who initially faced a murder charge, admitted on
The post David Friessen awaits sentencing for manslaughter after strangling drinking buddy to death, dumping his body on side of the road and continuing life normally appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
