Posted: Friday, February 21, 2025. 10:48 am CST.
By Aaron Humes: 15-year-old Dwayne Gabourel was fatally shot in 2021 while simply buying bread at a store on North Front Street, Belize City. Over three years later, the man accused of his murder, Dane Gillett, has been acquitted of the murder charge that hung over him.
On Thursday High Court Justice Derick Sylvester upheld a submission of no case to answer by Gillett’s attorney, Orson “OJ” Elrington, first made last December. In a detailed 35-page ruling, the judge concluded that the evidence presented by the prosecution was too weak to warrant a conviction, stating, “the evidence was so tenuous that a conviction… would have been unsafe.”
Justice Sylvester ruled that the video footage was poor in quality and failed to show identifying features, such as a tattoo that a police witness linked to Gillett. Justice Sylvester also highlighted discrepancies in height between the alleged shooter and Gillett and noted that no evidence, such as gunshot residue testing, was presented to connect Gillett to the crime scene. The judge pointed out that the clothing worn by Gillett at a repast differed from that of the shooter captured in the video, further undermining the prosecution’s case.
Following the court proceedings, Gillett expressed relief at being released, but did so with an awareness of the gravity of the situation. “The system is filled with abstract,” Gillett stated to our court reporter, adding that he was unjustly imprisoned for three years and five months. He emphasized the emotional toll this ordeal not only took on him but also on Dwayne’s family. “I just want them to know that I hope they can find it in their hearts to forgive,” he said.
Gillett further referenced his own experiences with loss, noting that he had also lost a young cousin to violence, yet he stood firm on his assertion of innocence. “There was no evidence to prove that I am the person who pulled the trigger,” he remarked.
Dwayne’s mother chose not to comment extensively on the verdict, only conveying her anguish that nothing can restore her son, who would have turned 19 this year.
In the aftermath of the ruling, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) expressed its strong disagreement with the judge’s findings. Director Cheryl-Lynn Vidal issued a statement indicating their intent to appeal the decision. “We strongly, though respectfully, disagree with every single finding of the trial judge,” she said, vowing to continue the pursuit of justice for Dwayne and his family. Director Vidal maintained that the evidence in the case was sufficient for a conviction.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.
© 2025, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.
The post Court acquits Belize City man of murder of Dwayne Gabourel appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Friday, February 21, 2025. 10:48 am CST. By Aaron Humes: 15-year-old Dwayne Gabourel was fatally shot in 2021 while simply buying bread at a store
The post Court acquits Belize City man of murder of Dwayne Gabourel appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
