By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 27-year-old fisherman who was earlier remanded to the Belize Central Prison for allegedly threatening his mother with a knife on New Year’s Day is now a free man after his mother asked the court to withdraw the charge.
The accused, Luis Pinto of Belize City, had been arraigned on a single charge of threat of death after police alleged that he brandished a six-inch kitchen knife at his mother during breakfast on January 1, 2026, and threatened to kill her.
At his initial appearance, the prosecution objected to bail on the grounds that Pinto lives at the same address as the virtual complainant, his mother. The sitting Magistrate agreed, citing concerns for her safety, and ordered Pinto remanded to the Belize Central Prison until February 23, 2026.
However, shortly after the remand order was issued, Pinto’s mother appeared before the court and requested that the charge be withdrawn. Taking the stand, she told the court, “My son, he’s schizophrenic and is back on his medication,” and said she did not wish to pursue the matter further.
In light of her request, the court allowed the charge to be withdrawn, and Pinto was released.
According to police reports from the Gender-Based Violence & Responsive Investigative Unit (GBVRIU), the mother alleged that during breakfast at their North Creek home, her son retrieved a knife, prompting her and her common-law husband to lock themselves in a bedroom. She further claimed that Pinto repeatedly slammed the knife against the door and threatened to kill her.
Pinto, who pleaded not guilty at arraignment, denied making any threats and told the court that the allegations were fabricated. Despite the Magistrate earlier expressing concern that the situation could escalate into further family violence, the case came to an end following the complainant’s intervention.
With the charge withdrawn, Luis Pinto was free to go.
The post Alleged schizophrenic man freed after mother drops charge against him for pulling knife and threatening to kill her on New Year morning appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 27-year-old fisherman who was earlier remanded to the Belize Central Prison for allegedly threatening his mother with a knife on New Year’s Day is now a free man after his mother asked the court to withdraw the charge. The accused, Luis Pinto of Belize City, had been arraigned on
The post Alleged schizophrenic man freed after mother drops charge against him for pulling knife and threatening to kill her on New Year morning appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
