Posted: Tuesday, May 27, 2025. 11:19 am CST.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 24-year-old father of two, Jairo Sandoval, walked out of court a convicted man but free from prison time last Friday after entering a plea bargain for shooting at two men in San Pedro back in September 2021, leaving one of them severely injured.
Sandoval pleaded guilty to two counts of use of deadly means of harm upon Noe Zetina and Marlon Estrada, after initially being indicted on two counts of attempted murder. Under the agreement, Sandoval received non-custodial sentences and was ordered to compensate Zetina, who suffered lasting physical damage from the attack.
The incident unfolded on the evening of September 21, 2021, as Estrada and Zetina were riding a motorcycle and had stopped to get food near Socachispa Football Stadium in San Pedro Town. Sandoval, reportedly about 15 feet away, allegedly made a remark, pulled a black pistol, and fired nine shots at the men.
Zetina was shot twice—once in the face and once in the leg—and miraculously survived, but sustained life-altering injuries. In an emotional victim impact statement, Zetina recounted waking up in a hospital, barely recognizable, after losing significant blood. He underwent extensive surgeries in Guatemala, costing his family over $30,000, and now suffers from hearing loss and difficulty walking.
“My face was unrecognizable. My leg was broken. I lost a lot of blood… all I wanted was to live,” Zetina said, adding that the ordeal cost him his marriage and independence, leaving him dependent on relatives.
Despite the trauma, Zetina told the court he did not wish for further punishment, only compensation for his medical and financial losses. The second victim, Estrada, who was not hit during the shooting, told the court he holds no ill will and does not require compensation.
In response, Justice Candace Nanton imposed fines of $2,000 on each count, totaling $4,000, and ordered Sandoval to pay $13,000 in compensation to Zetina, all to be paid by May 14, 2027, or face 12 months’ imprisonment per chargeif he defaults.
Justice Nanton emphasized that the plea bargain was accepted because it reflected the seriousness of the offense and urged Sandoval to stay on the straight and narrow path going forward, warning that he now carries a criminal convictionon his record.
Sandoval turned himself in to police after the 2021 shooting and had been out on bail pending trial.
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The post San Pedro shooter avoids jail in plea deal, ordered to compensate victim shot 9 times appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Tuesday, May 27, 2025. 11:19 am CST. By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 24-year-old father of two, Jairo Sandoval, walked out of court a convicted
The post San Pedro shooter avoids jail in plea deal, ordered to compensate victim shot 9 times appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.