By Breaking Belize News Staff: Four men facing separate murder charges appeared this week before Justice Candace Nanton in the High Court.
Those before the court were Juan Carlos Novelo, David Lambey, Miguelito Encalada, and Jeffery Pott, each on unrelated murder allegations.
First to be dealt with was Juan Carlos Novelo, who was represented virtually by attorney Leroy Banner. The Crown was represented by Crown Counsel Robert Lord, substituting for Glenfield Dennison. Novelo’s matter has been scheduled for a Case Management Conference (CMC) on Friday, February 6, 2026.
David Lambey appeared next, also represented by attorney Leroy Banner. His case is set to return to court for CMC on March 18, 2026.
Third before the court was Miguelito Encalada, represented by attorney Hurl Hamilton. His case is scheduled for CMC on February 6, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., with a trial date agreed upon for March 19, 2026.
The final matter was that of Jeffery Pott, who is represented by attorney Norman Rodriguez. Pott’s case is set for a pretrial hearing on March 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., and a trial date has been agreed upon for May 4, 2026. Through his attorney, Pott has also sought a Maximum Sentencing Indication (MSI) should he decide to plead guilty.
Pott, 35, a construction worker formerly of Victoria Street and now of Corozalito Village, is on remand for the murder of 50-year-old Dion Martin Bodden. The incident occurred on Saturday, June 22, 2024, in Belize City, where Bodden was fatally shot through Pitts Alley. Pott is also currently serving prison sentences totaling more than 24 years for multiple counts of Unlawful Sexual Intercourse, handed down by Justice Nigel Pilgrim on April 8, 2025.
Encalada, a barber of Ladyville, is accused in connection with a double murder involving his brother, George Vincent Rochester, 25, and Rochester’s wife, Desiree Elizabeth Gonzalez. The incident reportedly occurred on April 20, 2023, on Scissors Tail Street in Ladyville.
Juan Carlos Novelo, 44, a maintenance worker of Caye Caulker Village, is accused of killing his wife, Leslie Margarita Verde, 32. Novelo was arraigned on November 6, 2023, in relation to the incident, which allegedly occurred on November 4, 2023, on Caye Caulker.
David Lambey is accused of the murder of Ervin Martinez, which allegedly occurred on December 15, 2023.
All four men were further remanded to the Belize Central Prison until their next scheduled court appearances.
The post Four accused murderers arraigned separately before High Court appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Four men facing separate murder charges appeared this week before Justice Candace Nanton in the High Court. Those before the court were Juan Carlos Novelo, David Lambey, Miguelito Encalada, and Jeffery Pott, each on unrelated murder allegations. First to be dealt with was Juan Carlos Novelo, who was represented virtually
The post Four accused murderers arraigned separately before High Court appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
