By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 52-year-old businessman from Lords Bank has been committed to stand trial in the High Court for the 2024 murder of his brother-in-law following a paper committal in the Magistrate’s Court.
Bernard Talbert, of Ladyville, appeared unrepresented on Tuesday, April 20, 2026, in Court #1, where his Preliminary Inquiry (PI) was conducted and concluded within the same sitting. The Chief Magistrate presided over the matter and ruled that there was sufficient evidence for Talbert to face trial for the murder of 52-year-old Stephen Henry Jorgenson.
Talbert is now scheduled to stand trial at the June 2026 session of the High Court.
During the PI, the prosecution submitted 21 witness statements, including evidence from police and civilian witnesses, along with documentary exhibits. Following the paper committal, the Chief Magistrate informed Talbert that his case in the lower court had concluded and advised him to seek legal representation to apply for bail at the High Court.
Talbert provided four alibi witnesses, all of whom are relatives—three females and one male, including siblings.
He was first arraigned for the murder charge on September 8, 2025, after being extradited from the United States, where he had reportedly fled following the incident.
Police reports indicate that the fatal shooting occurred on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at approximately 8:45 p.m. at #7617 Rio Bravo Crescent, Belize City.
Officers responding to reports of a shooting discovered the motionless body of Jorgenson inside the lower flat of a two-storey concrete house. He was found lying face up in a pool of blood and was later pronounced dead at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.
Investigations revealed that Jorgenson was at home with his common-law wife and children when a man identified as Talbert allegedly entered the house after pushing his sister—Jorgenson’s wife—during a confrontation.
According to the wife’s statement, the dispute escalated over a land issue. She reported that Talbert pulled out a firearm and pointed it in the direction of her and the children. She attempted to deflect the weapon, but Jorgenson emerged from his bedroom and approached Talbert, at which point a single gunshot was fired, fatally injuring him.
Talbert allegedly fled the scene in a black vehicle.
Police recovered one expended 9mm Aguila shell casing and collected blood samples at the scene. The case has now been transferred to the High Court, where Talbert will answer to the charge of murder.
The post Bernard Talbert committed to stand trial for murder of brother-in-law Stephen Jorgenson appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 52-year-old businessman from Lords Bank has been committed to stand trial in the High Court for the 2024 murder of his brother-in-law following a paper committal in the Magistrate’s Court. Bernard Talbert, of Ladyville, appeared unrepresented on Tuesday, April 20, 2026, in Court #1, where his Preliminary Inquiry (PI)
The post Bernard Talbert committed to stand trial for murder of brother-in-law Stephen Jorgenson appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
