By Breaking Belize News Staff: Heavy police presence surrounded the High Court in Belize City on Friday as 29-year-old Dashay Williams was acquitted of the 2021 murder of 14-year-old Kwame Williams in Dangriga Town.
Williams, an associate of George Street and the step-son of Gerald “Shynie” Tillett, had reportedly claimed he received death threats ahead of the verdict. As a result, the Belize Police Department heightened security, posting GI3 officers around the court compound and holding cells, while motorcycle patrols and police mobiles monitored the perimeter throughout the day.
Williams was transported from the Kolbe Foundation shortly after 8:00 a.m. but his matter was not called up until 1:00 p.m. Within an hour and a half of proceedings before Justice Nigel Pilgrim, he was escorted out of the courtroom — acquitted of murder but returned to the Belize Central Prison under heavy guard due to another pending murder charge.
Williams had been charged with the August 5, 2021 shooting death of 14-year-old Kwame Williams on Umagarugu Road in the Benguche area of Dangriga. The prosecution’s case hinged largely on a statement from its main witness, Charles Bradley, 45, who is now deceased. Bradley, who was initially a suspect before becoming a witness, alleged in a statement to police that Williams confessed to the shooting.
However, Justice Pilgrim ruled that the court could not rely on Bradley’s hearsay statement. Bradley was killed in an unrelated shooting before the trial began and could not be cross-examined. The judge noted that the alleged confession could not sufficiently tie Williams to the murder.
In delivering his judgment, Justice Pilgrim explained that of the five elements required to prove murder, the Crown had only satisfactorily established that the teenager was dead and that his death resulted from unlawful harm. The court was not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Williams was the shooter or that he possessed the intent to kill.
The judge also found inconsistencies among other Crown witnesses. One witness turned hostile during trial, admitting he initially lied to police and felt pressured to identify someone during an ID parade. Another witness was unable to identify Williams as the shooter. Justice Pilgrim further questioned why Bradley had transitioned from suspect to witness without clarity from the prosecution.
Williams maintained his innocence throughout the trial, which began on November 10, 2025, before Justice Pilgrim in a judge-alone proceeding. He testified that he was with his girlfriend at the time of the shooting, discussing plans for his upcoming birthday. His girlfriend corroborated his account in court.
Upon hearing the verdict, Williams told the court, “Thanks Sir, and I was always innocent from the get go.” He also asked the judge to intervene regarding his safety, stating he feared for his life and requested that prison authorities reconsider transporting him to court in light of the alleged threats.
Notably absent from court today was the victim’s mother, who had attended previous trial dates.
Kwame Williams’ post-mortem concluded that he died from hypovolemic shock due to internal exsanguination caused by gunshot injuries.
While acquitted in this matter, Dashay Williams remains in custody pending another murder charge.
The post High Court acquits Dashay Williams of 14-year-old Kwame Williams’ murder appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Heavy police presence surrounded the High Court in Belize City on Friday as 29-year-old Dashay Williams was acquitted of the 2021 murder of 14-year-old Kwame Williams in Dangriga Town. Williams, an associate of George Street and the step-son of Gerald “Shynie” Tillett, had reportedly claimed he received death threats ahead
The post High Court acquits Dashay Williams of 14-year-old Kwame Williams’ murder appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
