By Breaking Belize News Staff: The arraignment of two persons charged with the murder of 19-year-old Dodrick Madrill was interrupted on Monday afternoon after both accused told the Chief Magistrate that they wanted to give their side of the story but were uncertain which police officers they could trust.
The accused, 31-year-old Belize City boat captain Emerson West and a 16-year-old minor, appeared before the Chief Magistrate shortly after 2:25 p.m. at the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Coney Drive.
During the proceedings, both reportedly explained that they had previously declined to give full interviews to investigators because they did not know which police officers to trust.
The minor also disputed the allegations against him, telling the court that he was tired of hearing what was being reported in the media and wanted an opportunity to tell the truth.
The Chief Magistrate reportedly explained that the courtroom was not the appropriate setting for them to provide their accounts and directed that they be taken back to the Queen Street Police Station to speak with investigators.
The proceedings were subsequently stood down, and both accused were escorted back to the police station. No new adjournment date had been announced at the time of reporting.
West and the minor were jointly charged with murder following the fatal shooting of Madrill on Freedom Street in Belize City on Thursday, October 29.
According to police, surveillance footage captured the movements of a white Ford van before and after the shooting, including an earlier confrontation involving Madrill and individuals associated with the vehicle.
Investigators allege that the footage subsequently captured a gunman opening fire on Madrill and pursuing him as he attempted to escape. Additional surveillance footage reportedly helped police identify the vehicle and the suspected gunman.
During Sunday’s emergency police briefing, Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith confirmed that footage obtained through the Crime Fusion and Operations Centre played a significant role in advancing the investigation.
Smith also indicated that investigators believe Madrill’s murder stemmed from an internal gang dispute, although police have not publicly detailed the alleged roles of the two accused.
The killing occurred one day before the quadruple murder along the Coastal Plain Highway, which police have also linked to suspected internal gang conflict. However, investigators have not conclusively established a direct connection between the two incidents.
Both West and the minor remain accused of murder and are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The post Dodrick Madrill murder suspects tell court they want to speak the truth but don’t know which police officers to trust appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: The arraignment of two persons charged with the murder of 19-year-old Dodrick Madrill was interrupted on Monday afternoon after both accused told the Chief Magistrate that they wanted to give their side of the story but were uncertain which police officers they could trust. The accused, 31-year-old Belize City boat
The post Dodrick Madrill murder suspects tell court they want to speak the truth but don’t know which police officers to trust appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
