By Breaking Belize News Staff: Marvin Cal, who was convicted of causing death by careless conduct in a fatal traffic accident that claimed the life of Oscar Rhodas, has been sentenced to time served and ordered to pay compensation to the victim’s common-law wife.
Cal appeared before Justice Derick Sylvester in the High Court on Tuesday, where he was sentenced to 47 days in prison, which he had already served while on remand awaiting sentencing.
Justice Sylvester also ordered Cal to pay $5,000 in compensation to Rhodas’ common-law wife, Rosa Reyes. The money must be paid within 18 months, with a minimum payment of $300 per month beginning July 1, 2026. If Cal defaults on a payment, the full balance becomes due, and he could serve six months in prison unless the amount is paid.
Cal was found guilty on April 30, 2026, by a jury of nine, made up of six women and three men. The jury deliberated for about two hours before finding that Cal was the driver of a white Ford Ranger pickup truck involved in the fatal crash between Miles 2 and 3 on the Hattieville/Burrell Boom Road.
The accident occurred on June 12, 2023, and resulted in the death of Rhodas, who was reportedly travelling in the pan of the pickup truck.
During the trial, Crown Counsel Maria Nembhard-Santana relied on circumstantial evidence, including testimony from witnesses who said the white Ford Ranger was speeding, overtook a bus, lost control, and collided with a grey Dakota pickup truck that was pulling a trailer.
One witness testified that the driver of the Ford Ranger was trapped behind the steering wheel after the collision, while another person was flung from the vehicle. Expert evidence was also presented, including post-mortem findings from Dr. Mario Estradabran, who certified that Rhodas died from massive brain damage and multiple trauma caused by the road traffic accident.
Cal denied being the driver. In his dock statement, he maintained that he was a passenger in the vehicle and said he should never have been charged.
Cal had initially faced several traffic-related charges, including manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct, driving without due care and attention, and improper overtaking. However, in the High Court, he was indicted only for causing death by careless conduct.
The post Marvin Cal gets time served with 47-day sentence, ordered to pay $5,000 to Oscar Rhodas’ wife in fatal accident ruling appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Marvin Cal, who was convicted of causing death by careless conduct in a fatal traffic accident that claimed the life of Oscar Rhodas, has been sentenced to time served and ordered to pay compensation to the victim’s common-law wife. Cal appeared before Justice Derick Sylvester in the High Court on
The post Marvin Cal gets time served with 47-day sentence, ordered to pay $5,000 to Oscar Rhodas’ wife in fatal accident ruling appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
