By Breaking Belize News Staff: Belizean-American Mark Anthony Stevens has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the attempted murder of Juan Carlos Rios Pineda, who was stabbed during an attack inside the Lord Ridge Cemetery in 2024.
Stevens had pleaded guilty to attempted murder, sparing the victim from having to testify against him at trial. His sentence was handed down on Monday by Justice Nigel Pilgrim and was backdated to June 2024.
The stabbing occurred on Saturday night, June 8, 2024. During the attack, Stevens was reportedly seen and heard telling Pineda, “I am going to kill you. I hope you die,” while stabbing him.
At a mitigation hearing held last Friday, July 3, 2026, the court heard from Pineda through a victim impact statement dated June 12, 2026. Pineda told the court that he almost lost his life after being attacked by Stevens.
“When I saw him, I ran. I ran for my life,” Pineda said in the statement. He recalled Stevens standing over him and stabbing him “like a crazy man,” adding that if not for help, he would be dead.
Pineda said the attack left him with a large cut wound, ongoing pain, flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, and fear for his safety. He also said he suffered financial difficulties and had to seek help from his father in the United States.
“I need justice, as I hope he never gets to do this again to anyone else,” Pineda told the court.
Stevens was represented by attorney Norman Rodriguez.
The post Mark Stevens sentenced to 12 years for attempted murder in Lord Ridge Cemetery stabbing appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Belizean-American Mark Anthony Stevens has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the attempted murder of Juan Carlos Rios Pineda, who was stabbed during an attack inside the Lord Ridge Cemetery in 2024. Stevens had pleaded guilty to attempted murder, sparing the victim from having to testify against him
The post Mark Stevens sentenced to 12 years for attempted murder in Lord Ridge Cemetery stabbing appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
