By Breaking Belize News Staff: Twenty-two-year-old Santa Barbara Street resident Mark Stephen Godoy is free of two gun-related charges after the Belize City Magistrate’s Court ruled that he is not competent to stand trial.
The lower court struck out one count of kept firearm and one count of kept ammunition without being granted a gun license following a competency hearing which determined that Godoy is not fit to plead.
Godoy was first arraigned on July 3, 2023, in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on the firearm offenses.
Police allege that on July 1, 2023, Godoy was found in possession of one chrome-with-black-handle-grip Pietro Beretta brand 9mm pistol bearing serial number 192FS, along with ten 9mm live rounds of ammunition — seven Aguila brand and three S&B brand cartridges.
However, the matter could not proceed to trial after concerns were raised regarding Godoy’s mental state. As a result, the court ordered a competency hearing to determine whether he was fit to stand trial.
During the hearing, Senior Magistrate Mannon Dennison heard testimony from one expert witness, Dr. Suzanna Hoy-Mitchell, a clinical psychologist, who provided evidence regarding Godoy’s mental competency.
Another medical professional, Dr. Matus, had been summoned to testify but did not appear in court. The Magistrate ultimately relied on the testimony presented.
Based on the findings of the competency hearing, the court ruled that Godoy is not competent to stand trial, and the charges against him were struck out in the lower court.
The post Man busted with gun and 10 bullets walks free after Court rules he is not mentally fit to stand trial appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Twenty-two-year-old Santa Barbara Street resident Mark Stephen Godoy is free of two gun-related charges after the Belize City Magistrate’s Court ruled that he is not competent to stand trial. The lower court struck out one count of kept firearm and one count of kept ammunition without being granted a gun
The post Man busted with gun and 10 bullets walks free after Court rules he is not mentally fit to stand trial appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.