By Breaking Belize News Staff: John Carlos Quilter has been committed to stand trial in the High Court for the 2023 murder of 21-year-old James Kelvin Bainton.
Quilter is accused in connection with Bainton’s fatal shooting, which occurred on May 4, 2023, at the Ladyville Sports Complex.
His preliminary inquiry was concluded by paper committal on Friday, May 29, 2026, in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court. The police prosecutor submitted more than 20 witness statements, along with documentary exhibits, forming the evidence expected to be used at trial.
At the end of the committal proceedings, Quilter was informed that he will stand trial for murder at the October Session of the High Court, which is set to commence on October 17, 2026.
According to police reports, officers visited the Ladyville Sports Complex around 9:59 p.m. on May 4, 2023, after receiving information that someone had been shot. There, they found Bainton suffering from apparent gunshot injuries. He was taken to the Price Barracks Medical Center, where he later died while receiving treatment.
Initial investigations indicated that Bainton was at the sports complex with his brothers when an altercation broke out with several other men. After the fight, Bainton reportedly began walking toward Seagull Street when a man identified in police accounts as Tyler Smith allegedly approached from the basketball court area and fired a shot in his direction, causing the fatal injury.
Police say their investigation later led to witness statements alleging that Quilter handed over a firearm to Smith before the fatal shooting.
Quilter, of Parakeet Street, Ladyville, was later arrested and charged with murder. He remains behind bars pending his trial.
Smith is reportedly believed to have fled Belize and is said to be living in the United States.
The post John Carlos Quilter committed to stand trial for 2023 Kelvin Bainton murder appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: John Carlos Quilter has been committed to stand trial in the High Court for the 2023 murder of 21-year-old James Kelvin Bainton. Quilter is accused in connection with Bainton’s fatal shooting, which occurred on May 4, 2023, at the Ladyville Sports Complex. His preliminary inquiry was concluded by paper committal
The post John Carlos Quilter committed to stand trial for 2023 Kelvin Bainton murder appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
