Posted: Wednesday, March 5, 2025. 6:18 pm CST.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: The high-profile trial of businessman Patrick Robinson took an unexpected turn on Wednesday morning when he abruptly fired his two attorneys, only to change his mind shortly after.
Robinson, who is facing five counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, dismissed Senior Counsel Hubert Elrington and attorney Norman Rodriguez in the courtroom of Justice Derick Sylvester. However, when questioned about his legal representation, he reconsidered and requested that his attorneys remain on the case.
Despite Robinson’s plea, both Elrington and Rodriguez made it clear on record that they were uncomfortable continuing their defense. However, Justice Sylvester denied their request to recuse themselves, compelling them to remain on the case under what they described as “duress.”
Robinson stands accused of sexually abusing a minor from the age of 11 between January and June 2019, as well as December 2021 through June 2022, at both his home and business, Leiva Funeral Home. The victim testified that the abuse occurred multiple times within those periods.
Taking the stand in his own defense, Robinson denied all allegations and called three alibi witnesses, including a longtime employee who stated he never observed any inappropriate behavior. The prosecution, led by Crown Counsel Shenell Fernandez, alleged that Robinson had engaged in sexual acts with the minor in exchange for providing a relative with a stove—an accusation he vehemently denied.
Justice Sylvester has scheduled final submissions for March 28, 2025, after which he will deliver his verdict. In the meantime, Robinson remains represented by Elrington and Rodriguez.
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The post Patrick Robinson, on trial for sexually assaulting minor, fires then re-hires attorneys in court appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Wednesday, March 5, 2025. 6:18 pm CST. By Breaking Belize News Staff: The high-profile trial of businessman Patrick Robinson took an unexpected turn on Wednesday
The post Patrick Robinson, on trial for sexually assaulting minor, fires then re-hires attorneys in court appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
