By Breaking Belize News Staff: A police officer and a Belize Defence Force (BDF) soldier serving prison sentences for perverting the course of justice in connection with the 2021 shooting death of BDF soldier Jessie Escobar will have to wait until January 2027 for their appeals to be heard.
Police Corporal Juan Carlos Morales and BDF Private Ramon Alberto Alcoser appeared before High Court Justice Derick Sylvester on Tuesday, October 27, where their appeal hearing was adjourned to January 13, 2027.
The adjournment came after Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl-Lynn Vidal informed the court that written submissions from the men’s attorney, Orson “OJ” Elrington, had only been filed on Friday, October 23. Vidal requested additional time to prepare the Crown’s response.
The court was informed that the appeal involves approximately six to seven grounds that must be addressed, with both sides agreeing that at least two hours would be required for oral submissions.
Morales and Alcoser were convicted on November 12, 2025, after a Senior Magistrate found that they deliberately provided false and misleading statements and omitted critical details during the investigation into Escobar’s death.
Escobar was fatally shot during a confrontation involving a joint police-BDF patrol in Santa Familia Village, Cayo District, on September 5, 2021. Surveillance footage subsequently contradicted accounts provided by the two law enforcement officers.
On December 12, 2025, Morales was sentenced to one year and 11 months in prison, while Alcoser received one year and two months.
Both men are challenging their convictions and sentences. Their appeals have faced multiple adjournments since first coming before the High Court earlier this year.
Morales and Alcoser remain incarcerated at the Belize Central Prison pending the January 13 hearing.
The post Appeal delayed again for police officer and BDF soldier convicted in Jessie Escobar case appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A police officer and a Belize Defence Force (BDF) soldier serving prison sentences for perverting the course of justice in connection with the 2021 shooting death of BDF soldier Jessie Escobar will have to wait until January 2027 for their appeals to be heard. Police Corporal Juan Carlos Morales and
The post Appeal delayed again for police officer and BDF soldier convicted in Jessie Escobar case appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
