By Breaking Belize News Staff: The murder trial of Arthur Simon Hill, also known as “Turo,” has concluded in the High Court, where he is accused of the fatal stabbing of his brother-in-law, Levaun Aldana.
Hill is charged with murder in connection with Aldana’s death, which occurred on Wednesday, January 31, 2024. He was first charged and arraigned on February 2, 2024, and later committed to stand trial in the High Court.
The trial began on May 14, 2026, before Justice Candace Nanton. The Crown called eight witnesses in an effort to prove that Aldana died as a result of unlawful harm and that Hill was responsible for inflicting that harm with the intention to kill.
At the close of the Crown’s case, Hill’s attorney, Norman Rodriguez, began making a no-case submission, arguing that there was no direct evidence that Hill killed Aldana and that the evidence was too tenuous to support a conviction. Rodriguez later withdrew the application, but Justice Nanton indicated that she would still consider the submission given the circumstances of the case.
Justice Nanton ultimately ruled that Hill had a case to answer.
The Crown’s case relies heavily on a dying declaration, with witnesses testifying that Aldana made two utterances before he died, saying, “Dah Arthur Hill do it” and “Dah Arthur Hill do me this.”
The Crown is also relying on circumstantial evidence, including testimony that Hill and Aldana were seen together before the stabbing. Another witness testified that Hill later came to his house sweating and nervous, asking for a change of clothing. Police witnesses also testified that Hill was later detained wearing the red shirt allegedly given to him after the incident.
However, the defense argued that the Crown had not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt and that Hill was not the person who stabbed Aldana.
On Thursday morning, Hill was presented with his three options: to remain silent, give a dock statement, or give sworn evidence from the witness box. Hill chose to remain silent, and the defense closed its case shortly after.
Justice Nanton has deferred her decision to June 26, 2026. The Crown is to file written submissions by June 1, while the defense is to file its submissions by June 10.
The post Arthur Simon Hill remains silent as Levaun Aldana murder trial ends; decision due June 26 appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: The murder trial of Arthur Simon Hill, also known as “Turo,” has concluded in the High Court, where he is accused of the fatal stabbing of his brother-in-law, Levaun Aldana. Hill is charged with murder in connection with Aldana’s death, which occurred on Wednesday, January 31, 2024. He was first
The post Arthur Simon Hill remains silent as Levaun Aldana murder trial ends; decision due June 26 appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
