By Breaking Belize News Staff: The Crown has succeeded in its application to have two key witnesses testify by video link in the triple murder trial of Christian Espat and Michael Brown.
Justice Nigel Pilgrim handed down the decision in the High Court on Friday afternoon, ruling that the witnesses will be allowed to give evidence virtually after expressing fear about appearing in court in person.
The decision was strongly opposed by the defense, which argued that video testimony could affect the accused men’s right to confront their accusers. Brown is represented by Dr. Lynden Jones, while Espat is represented by attorney Leeroy Banner.
In his ruling, Justice Pilgrim considered the legal framework for video-link testimony, previous cases in which fearful witnesses were allowed to testify virtually, the use of remote hearings during the COVID-19 pandemic, the practicality of the process, and whether any prejudice would be caused to the accused.
Justice Pilgrim found that the court has the jurisdiction and power to allow testimony by video link where it is necessary and appropriate. He ruled that in this case, the Crown had met the threshold.
With that issue settled, the trial has been scheduled to run from October 13 to October 21, 2026. Brown and Espat were further remanded to the Belize Central Prison until that date.
Brown and Espat were previously indicted on three counts of murder in connection with the shooting deaths of 3-year-old Amarie Esmeralda Rodriguez, Carlos Leonardo Chi, and Delmar Rodriguez. They were also indicted on counts of attempted murder and use of deadly means of harm involving Jose Hernandez, Ruben Guerra, and Randy Guerra.
A similar procedure was previously used in the case of King v. Michael Gladden, where the Crown successfully applied for a witness who feared for her life to testify virtually. Gladden was later convicted of attempted murder.
The post Court allows fearful witnesses to testify virtually in Christian Espat and Michael Brown triple murder trial appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: The Crown has succeeded in its application to have two key witnesses testify by video link in the triple murder trial of Christian Espat and Michael Brown. Justice Nigel Pilgrim handed down the decision in the High Court on Friday afternoon, ruling that the witnesses will be allowed to give
The post Court allows fearful witnesses to testify virtually in Christian Espat and Michael Brown triple murder trial appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.