Photo Credit: Channel 7 News
By Aaron Humes: The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, says she is investigating potential charges against individuals who encouraged police officers to give false statements in the Joseph Budna abduction case. At least two police officers have reportedly been asked to provide false statements, and the DPP’s office is considering charges for perverting the course of justice.
The DPP’s office is working to gather evidence and build a strong case, separate from media reports and public speculation. Vidal, speaking to Channel 7 News, emphasized the importance of relying on credible evidence and following due process: “I think that the public has to be able to distinguish between what you are broadcasting and what I actually have available to me by way of evidence on a file. You are serving a very important function. The public needs to be aware of what is happening. But I think that some persons may be thinking that because Jules said it, the DPP can rely on it, the DPP can use it. I can’t carry you to court to say any of those things you’re screaming about. So we are at the point where we have a file that does not implicate anyone in anything, and we have to ensure that we get it to the point where the truth can be told.”
The DPP emphasized that in her view, a crime has been committed, and is focused on determining who was involved and why: “A Belizean citizen was in Belize. He is now in a Guatemalan prison. It was not his intention to go to that Guatemalan prison. And he has spoken and he has said what happened to him. A crime has been committed. What we need to confirm beyond a reasonable doubt is who was involved in that crime, not just the actors as in the ones who detained him against his will. But why did they do it? Where did the instruction come from, or how did the plan originate to do it? This is, this is what we have to look at.”
The government and law enforcement agencies have faced criticism for their handling of the case, with some accusing them of downplaying the incident. But the DPP would not be drawn into criticizing the Prime Minister for expressing his disappointment in her prior public statements concerning the Budna file: “Do you think, Jules, that you will get me to say something unfavorable about the Honourable Prime Minister? I would not. Firstly, it would be very unprofessional of me. Secondly, even if it were not, I have the greatest respect for the Honourable John Briceño. Before he actually became Prime Minister, we had several conversations about respect for the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and the independence of the DPP’s office. And I am 100 [percent] confident that the Honourable Prime Minister would never interfere in the business of the DPP’s office. The Honourable Prime Minister would never interfere with the work of the DPP’s office…”
She added that her office would not be influenced by Executive complaint because, “…we pursue our prosecutions without fear or favor. So, at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter whether people are happy with us or unhappy with us once we are doing what we are meant to do and observing the ethics of the profession and the office that we are working in.”
The post DPP investigating Police involvement in Joseph Budna abduction – still needs more evidence appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Photo Credit: Channel 7 News By Aaron Humes: The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, says she is investigating potential charges against individuals who encouraged police officers to give false statements in the Joseph Budna abduction case. At least two police officers have reportedly been asked to provide false statements, and the DPP’s office
The post DPP investigating Police involvement in Joseph Budna abduction – still needs more evidence appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
