By Breaking Belize News Staff: The High Court trial of Marvin Cal, accused of causing death by careless conduct in a 2023 traffic fatality, is nearing its conclusion, with Justice Derick Sylvester set to sum up the case before a jury on Thursday morning.
Cal is on trial in connection with the death of Oscar Rhodas, who died following a road traffic accident on June 12, 2023, between Miles 2 and 3 on the Hattieville/Boom Road. Rhodas was reportedly riding in the pan of a pickup truck when he was flung from the vehicle upon impact and died at the scene.
The trial, which began on Monday, April 27, 2026, is being heard before a nine-member jury comprised of six women and three men. On Wednesday, both the prosecution and defense delivered their closing addresses. The Crown is represented by DPP Crown Counsel Maria Nembhard-Santana, while Cal is represented by attorney Hurl Hamilton.
A key issue in the case is whether Cal was the driver of the vehicle at the time of the दुर्घ accident. The prosecution called a total of nine witnesses, including Sgt. Shane Pook, who testified that he responded to the scene and identified Cal as the driver. According to Sgt. Pook, Cal was found trapped behind the steering wheel of the wrecked vehicle and had to be extricated using the Jaws of Life by emergency personnel.
Despite this, Cal has maintained his innocence. In an unsworn dock statement, he claimed he was not the driver but merely a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
Initially charged with manslaughter, Cal was later indicted on January 29, 2026, on a single charge of causing death by careless conduct. He remains out on bail.
Justice Sylvester is expected to sum up the evidence and legal directions to the jury at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, after which jurors will retire to deliberate and deliver a verdict.
The post Marvin Cal awaits verdict in 2023 Oscar Rhodas traffic accident fatality; Maintains he was not the driver despite reportedly being crushed behind driver’s wheel appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: The High Court trial of Marvin Cal, accused of causing death by careless conduct in a 2023 traffic fatality, is nearing its conclusion, with Justice Derick Sylvester set to sum up the case before a jury on Thursday morning. Cal is on trial in connection with the death of Oscar
The post Marvin Cal awaits verdict in 2023 Oscar Rhodas traffic accident fatality; Maintains he was not the driver despite reportedly being crushed behind driver’s wheel appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.