By Breaking Belize News Staff: Two Belize City men accused in the 2023 murder of businessman Orel Brandon Leslie were acquitted today of separate firearm and ammunition charges in the lower court, but they remain behind bars awaiting trial for murder.
Elden Flowers and Kareem Franklin were found not guilty of kept unlicensed firearm and kept unlicensed ammunition in relation to a 9mm pistol, magazine, and ammunition police alleged were recovered after a motorcycle crash near the Flag Monument on August 27, 2023.
The men had been accused of fleeing from police after the motorcycle they were on crashed near the monument. Police alleged that a 9mm pistol was later found on the ground near the motorcycle, approximately 14 feet away from the crash scene.
At the conclusion of the trial, the Senior Magistrate found that the prosecution had not proven the firearm and ammunition charges beyond a reasonable doubt. The court noted concerns over the evidence of the police constable, who was the main witness linking the men to the recovered firearm.
According to the court’s ruling, there was a gap of about 20 minutes between the time the men fled the crash scene and when they were brought back. The Senior Magistrate noted that other officers who were reportedly present at the scene did not testify, leaving the court uncertain about what occurred during that period.
The constable testified that he joined a police pursuit on Freetown Road after seeing officers chasing two men on a motorcycle. He said the motorcycle later crashed near the Flag Monument and the men ran. The constable said he pursued and detained one of the men near the Palotti area, while another special constable later brought in the second man from the direction of Stella Maris.
Neal also testified that when the men were taken back to the crash scene, officers observed a black helmet, slippers, and a 9mm pistol on the ground. However, under cross-examination, Neal reportedly admitted that he did not find the men in possession of the firearm or ammunition and did not know who the gun belonged to.
Flowers and Franklin were represented by attorney Norman Rodriguez.
Despite the acquittal on the firearm and ammunition charges, both men remain on remand for the murder of Leslie. Previous reports stated that Flowers and Franklin were charged in connection with Leslie’s killing, which occurred on August 27, 2023.
Leslie, 34, was fatally shot in Belize City in what police described as a targeted attack. Reports at the time said that as many as 40 shots were fired during the incident.
The post Elden Flowers, Kareem Franklin acquitted of firearm and ammunition charges but remain on remand for Orel Leslie murder appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Two Belize City men accused in the 2023 murder of businessman Orel Brandon Leslie were acquitted today of separate firearm and ammunition charges in the lower court, but they remain behind bars awaiting trial for murder. Elden Flowers and Kareem Franklin were found not guilty of kept unlicensed firearm and
The post Elden Flowers, Kareem Franklin acquitted of firearm and ammunition charges but remain on remand for Orel Leslie murder appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
