By Breaking Belize News Staff: Justice Nigel Pilgrim has reserved his decision in the murder trial of 36-year-old Krismar Espinosa, who is accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend’s former partner, Wilbert E. Banks Jr in 2024.
The trial concluded in the High Court on Thursday, July 16, 2026. A verdict is expected to be delivered on Friday, July 31.
Banks, a 38-year-old bicycle technician of Euphrates Avenue, Belize City, suffered seven gunshot wounds during the incident in the Lake Garden area.
The prosecution’s principal witness was Banks’ former girlfriend, who was also Espinosa’s girlfriend at the time of the killing. She testified virtually because of reported fears for her safety.
The woman told the court that Espinosa threatened to kill her and her six-year-old son unless she brought Banks to the Lake Garden area. She alleged that Espinosa dropped her off in Belize City and ordered her to locate Banks.
According to her testimony, Banks later offered to drive her back to Ladyville. When they arrived in the Lake Garden area, she exited his vehicle and Espinosa allegedly emerged and opened fire.
Banks reportedly attempted to escape by driving away but later crashed. The woman testified that Espinosa chased her in another vehicle and ordered her to get inside before they returned to their Lords Bank home.
Police reportedly traced the woman after finding her cellphone near the murder scene. Espinosa was subsequently detained and charged, while the woman was questioned but never charged. She later left Belize because she feared for her life.
Espinosa testified under oath and denied carrying out the shooting, claiming that he was at home in Lords Bank at the time of the murder on April 5, 2024.
He is represented by attorney Michael Peyrefitte. The prosecution is being led by Crown Counsel Maria Nembhard-Santana and Crown Counsel Joseph Perez.
The post Krismar Espinosa verdict reserved until July 31: Accused of killing girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend Wilbert E. Banks and threatening to kill her; Former girlfriend testifies against him virtually appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Justice Nigel Pilgrim has reserved his decision in the murder trial of 36-year-old Krismar Espinosa, who is accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend’s former partner, Wilbert E. Banks Jr in 2024. The trial concluded in the High Court on Thursday, July 16, 2026. A verdict is expected to be delivered
The post Krismar Espinosa verdict reserved until July 31: Accused of killing girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend Wilbert E. Banks and threatening to kill her; Former girlfriend testifies against him virtually appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.