By Breaking Belize News Staff: Twenty-seven-year-old Jaylil Usher has been sentenced for abetment to murder in connection with the shooting death of 19-year-old Kean Quiros in San Pedro Town.
Usher, who was not accused of being the shooter, pleaded guilty to facilitating the commission of murder by making available and enabling access to a Chinese-made AK-47 rifle, which authorities say was used in the killing. Justice Nigel Pilgrim sentenced him from an 18-year starting point, but after deductions, Usher is to serve a remaining term of 7 years, 8 months and 16 days behind bars.
The court accepted a plea agreement between the Crown and the defense, which recommended an eight-year sentence. Usher was represented by attorney Norman Rodriguez.
In handing down the sentence, Justice Pilgrim noted the seriousness of the offense, including that it involved the use of a firearm and, in particular, a prohibited weapon. The court also considered the harm caused by the killing, including the psychological impact on Quiros’ mother, Melissa Quiros.
According to the facts presented in court, Quiros was inside his room in the San Mateo area of San Pedro on the morning of August 11, 2023, when several loud bangs were heard. His brother, Anferne Quiros, went to the room and found him on the floor bleeding from a chest wound. Quiros was taken to the San Pedro Polyclinic, where he later died.
Crime scene personnel recovered eleven 7.62×39mm expended cartridges from the murder scene. On September 5, 2023, police searched Usher’s home in the San Mateo area and found a Chinese-made AK-47 rifle with an obliterated serial number, along with an empty 30-round magazine, concealed inside a pillowcase on Usher’s bed.
A forensic firearm examination later determined that the eleven cartridges recovered from the murder scene were fired from the AK-47 found in Usher’s room.
Police said Usher admitted that the firearm had been in his room for years and that he had bought it for between $300 and $500. Investigators also noted that Usher was known as “Power Jr.” or “J. Lion” and that he knew Quiros from playing basketball.
At the time of the offense, Usher was 24 years old. The court was told that he had five previous convictions, including for possession of controlled drugs, keeping a prohibited firearm, possession of a firearm with its serial number removed, escape from lawful custody and damage to property.
Justice Pilgrim also considered mitigating factors, including Usher’s guilty plea, expressions of remorse, family circumstances and signs of rehabilitation while in prison. The court noted that his previous prison infractions had ceased since July 2025, which was viewed as a positive sign.
Usher was sentenced for abetment to murder, with the court finding that a custodial sentence was appropriate given the role he played in making the murder weapon available.
The post Jaylil Usher will serve 7 years, 8 months for abetment to murder in Kean Quiros killing appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Twenty-seven-year-old Jaylil Usher has been sentenced for abetment to murder in connection with the shooting death of 19-year-old Kean Quiros in San Pedro Town. Usher, who was not accused of being the shooter, pleaded guilty to facilitating the commission of murder by making available and enabling access to a Chinese-made
The post Jaylil Usher will serve 7 years, 8 months for abetment to murder in Kean Quiros killing appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.