By Breaking Belize News Staff: Marvin Cal narrowly avoided losing his freedom on Thursday morning after arriving 42 minutes late for his High Court matter, prompting Justice Derick Sylvester to briefly revoke his bail.
Cal, who was scheduled to appear at 8:30 a.m., entered the courtroom just as Justice Sylvester uttered the words “bail revoked.” The Hattieville resident had reportedly been told to be at court by 9:00 a.m., but appeared after the matter had already been called.
When asked to explain his tardiness, Cal told the court that heavy rain forced him to abandon his motorcycle and take a bus into Belize City. Justice Sylvester was not convinced by the explanation and emphasized that bail is a privilege, not a right. Cal was placed in detention while the court considered whether to permanently revoke his bail.
After approximately 23 minutes, the judge reinstated Cal’s original bail, allowing him to leave the court a free man. He was sternly warned to ensure that such an incident does not happen again and reminded that he could have contacted the High Court to inform authorities of his delay. Cal later returned to the holding cell to retrieve his personal belongings after being detained for roughly 24 minutes.
Cal was indicted on January 29, 2026, on a charge of manslaughter in connection with a fatal traffic accident that occurred on June 12, 2023, between Miles 2 and 3 on the Hattieville/Boom Road. He is accused of causing the death of Oscar Rhodas through the careless conduct of a Ford Ranger pickup truck he allegedly drove, which knocked down and killed Rhodas.
At Thursday’s further Case Management Conference (CMC), Justice Sylvester asked both sides whether they had agreed on witness statements and which witnesses would be called to testify live at trial. The Crown, represented by Crown Counsel Maria Santana-Nembhard of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ office, indicated that it has 12 witnesses.
Defense attorney Hurl Hamilton told the court that the parties have agreed to have one witness statement read into evidence without the witness appearing. Four additional witnesses’ statements will also be read into evidence, though those individuals are expected to attend court for cross-examination.
Both the Crown and the defense agreed that the trial can be completed within five working days. Cal, who has pleaded not guilty, maintains that he was not the driver and does not intend to call any witnesses in his defense.
His next appearance will continue as the court moves toward trial.
The post Marvin Cal almost has bail revoked in manslaughter case after reaching court 42 minutes late appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Marvin Cal narrowly avoided losing his freedom on Thursday morning after arriving 42 minutes late for his High Court matter, prompting Justice Derick Sylvester to briefly revoke his bail. Cal, who was scheduled to appear at 8:30 a.m., entered the courtroom just as Justice Sylvester uttered the words “bail revoked.”
The post Marvin Cal almost has bail revoked in manslaughter case after reaching court 42 minutes late appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
