By Breaking Belize News Staff: Dangriga resident Samuel Bolaños has rejected a sentencing indication of 13 years in prison for manslaughter, choosing instead to stand trial for murder in connection with the November 2024 shooting death of 46-year-old Matthew Jonathan Moses on northern Ambergris Caye.
Bolaños appeared before High Court Justice Nigel Pilgrim on Monday, November 9, represented by attorney Dr. Lyndon Jones. He had previously sought a sentencing indication for the lesser offense of manslaughter after pleading not guilty to murder.
Justice Pilgrim indicated that Bolaños would face a 13-year prison term for manslaughter. However, Bolaños declined the indication, meaning his case will proceed to trial on the original murder charge.
The judge explained that Bolaños had the right to accept or reject the indication and that his decision could not be used against him during future proceedings.
The case stems from the fatal shooting of Moses on November 8, 2024, near Secret Beach on northern Ambergris Caye. Breaking Belize News reported at the time that the shooting allegedly followed an ongoing dispute between Moses and Bolaños, who was working as a caretaker.
Bolaños, who reportedly used a licensed nine-millimeter pistol, initially claimed he acted in self-defense. He was detained and subsequently released pending further investigation, but was formally charged with murder on March 7, 2025, following a review by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Justice Pilgrim indicated that his court calendar could not accommodate the trial before the end of 2026 and scheduled proceedings to begin on February 8, 2027.
Bolaños remains remanded at the Belize Central Prison pending trial.
The post Samuel Bolaños rejects 13-year prison sentence indication for manslaughter in 2024 shooting death of Mathew Moses, opts for murder trial instead appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Dangriga resident Samuel Bolaños has rejected a sentencing indication of 13 years in prison for manslaughter, choosing instead to stand trial for murder in connection with the November 2024 shooting death of 46-year-old Matthew Jonathan Moses on northern Ambergris Caye. Bolaños appeared before High Court Justice Nigel Pilgrim on Monday,
The post Samuel Bolaños rejects 13-year prison sentence indication for manslaughter in 2024 shooting death of Mathew Moses, opts for murder trial instead appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
