By Breaking Belize News Staff: An accused man currently on remand at the Belize Central Prison has applied to the High Court for a Maximum Sentencing Indication (MSI) in relation to a murder charge he is facing.
Jayme Caesar Young Jr., 36, appeared through his attorney, Senior Counsel Simeon Sampson, before Justice Candace Nanton on Tuesday morning, December 16, 2025, where a request was made for an MSI hearing. Young Jr. is accused of murdering 30-year-old Damion Dominique Baptist, a Belize Defence Force soldier and bus driver of Burrell Boom Village, who was fatally shot on the Phillip Goldson Highway on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
The court explained that an MSI request does not amount to a guilty plea. According to Senior Counsel Sampson, his client instructed him to seek the hearing. Justice Nanton deferred the matter and set January 30, 2026, as the date on which she will deliver the Maximum Sentencing Indication.
Young Jr. has been on remand for approximately one year, eight months, three weeks, and four days since his arraignment. He was first charged and appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Friday, March 22, 2024, where he was read a single charge of murder and remanded to the Belize Central Prison due to the indictable nature of the offense.
Justice Nanton ordered that the Crown and defense agree on the brief facts of the case for the purpose of the MSI and have the document signed by the defendant on or before January 19, 2026. She further directed that all documents relating to the MSI be filed by January 30, 2026, on which date Young Jr. is expected to appear in person.
According to police reports, the fatal shooting occurred between miles eight and nine on the Phillip Goldson Highway, in front of Our Lady of the Way Roman Catholic School. Police were informed around 5:25 p.m. on March 16, 2024, of a shooting in the area and responded to find a red Ford Fusion slammed into a lamppost, bearing apparent bullet holes.
Investigations allege that Baptist was travelling with his girlfriend, a 29-year-old teacher, when they encountered her ex-boyfriend, Young Jr., who allegedly pursued them and fired multiple shots. One of the shots reportedly struck Baptist in the head, causing him to lose control of the vehicle. He was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Young Jr. remains on remand as the matter continues before the High Court.
The post Jayme Young Jr. seeks sentencing indication in Damion Baptist murder case appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: An accused man currently on remand at the Belize Central Prison has applied to the High Court for a Maximum Sentencing Indication (MSI) in relation to a murder charge he is facing. Jayme Caesar Young Jr., 36, appeared through his attorney, Senior Counsel Simeon Sampson, before Justice Candace Nanton on
The post Jayme Young Jr. seeks sentencing indication in Damion Baptist murder case appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.