By Breaking Belize News Staff: A pre-trial case management hearing has been set for Cecil Gilbert Franklin, also known as “G.I. Joe,” who is accused of raping a 58-year-old woman inside her Belize City apartment in October 2024.
Franklin appeared before High Court Justice Candace Nanton this week in connection with the rape charge.
Franklin, who had been unrepresented, has now been appointed attorney Javier Williams. However, Williams told the court that he had not yet had an opportunity to properly consult with Franklin and requested additional time to meet with him and receive instructions on how the defence intends to proceed.
Justice Nanton granted the adjournment and ordered the defence to file its case management forms by October 16, 2026.
Crown Counsel Glenfield Dennison, appearing for the prosecution, was also questioned about additional evidence in the case. The Crown indicated that if further evidence becomes available, a notice of additional evidence will be filed.
Franklin, who remains out on bail, is scheduled to return to the High Court on November 16, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.
Earlier this year, while Franklin was still without legal representation, he reportedly indicated a guilty plea after being indicted for rape. Justice Nanton did not accept the plea at that stage and instead gave him an opportunity to obtain legal representation and advice before proceeding.
The charge stems from an alleged incident on the night of October 21, 2024.
According to the woman’s report to police, she arrived at her apartment at about 8:40 p.m. and, while opening her door, was allegedly grabbed from behind by a man she recognized as Franklin.
She alleged that the attacker placed a knife against the right side of her throat, forced her inside the apartment, pushed her onto a bed and raped her.
A neighbour reportedly heard a commotion coming from the apartment and contacted police. Franklin was detained shortly afterward and later charged with rape.
Contemporaneous reporting from October 2024 stated that Franklin was initially remanded to the Belize Central Prison after being arraigned because the Magistrates’ Court could not grant bail for the indictable offence.
Franklin has not been convicted of the rape allegation, and the case remains before the High Court.
The post Pre-trial hearing set for Cecil ‘G.I. Joe’ Franklin in rape case appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A pre-trial case management hearing has been set for Cecil Gilbert Franklin, also known as “G.I. Joe,” who is accused of raping a 58-year-old woman inside her Belize City apartment in October 2024. Franklin appeared before High Court Justice Candace Nanton this week in connection with the rape charge. Franklin,
The post Pre-trial hearing set for Cecil ‘G.I. Joe’ Franklin in rape case appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
