By Breaking Belize News Staff: The Augustine sisters are preparing to stand trial before a nine-member jury in the High Court on a charge of arson, with a trial date yet to be set.
Twenty-two-year-old Janiece Shanice Augustine, a call center agent, and her 26-year-old sister, Janiene Justine Augustine, a hair braider, both of Belize City, appeared on Friday afternoon before Justice Nigel Pilgrim.
At their previous court appearance, the sisters were unrepresented and were subsequently appointed separate attorneys. Janiece is now represented by Attorney Mendez, while Janiene is represented by Attorney David McKoy.
The sisters are accused of committing arson on July 16, 2022, in Crooked Tree. It is alleged that, without lawful excuse, they set fire to a blue wooden structure valued at $30,000, along with $2,000 worth of household items, totaling $32,000 in damages. The property reportedly belonged to Icelma Crawford.
During Friday’s hearing, both defense attorneys indicated that they intend to challenge an alleged note of interview that police claim was given by the sisters. As a result, Justice Pilgrim informed the court that a voir dire—a trial within a trial—will be conducted at the start of proceedings to determine the admissibility of that evidence.
The matter will proceed before a jury of nine persons rather than by judge alone, meaning nine members of their peers will ultimately determine their fate.
Both attorneys have been ordered to file their grounds of objection regarding the notes of interview. The case has been adjourned to March 13, 2026, for further case management conference (CMC).
The sisters’ bail, which was granted in the lower court in the sum of $8,000 each plus two sureties of $4,000 each, was extended by Justice Pilgrim.
The Augustine sisters were first arraigned on the single charge of arson in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Friday, April 12, 2024.
The post Augustine sisters to face jury trial for arson appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: The Augustine sisters are preparing to stand trial before a nine-member jury in the High Court on a charge of arson, with a trial date yet to be set. Twenty-two-year-old Janiece Shanice Augustine, a call center agent, and her 26-year-old sister, Janiene Justine Augustine, a hair braider, both of Belize
The post Augustine sisters to face jury trial for arson appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
