By Breaking Belize News Staff: The murder and attempted murder trial of Shaquille Perrera concluded late Wednesday evening in the High Court, where Justice Nigel Pilgrim further remanded the accused to the Belize Central Prison pending a verdict scheduled for Friday, June 5, 2026.
Perrera, a Belizean citizen, is accused of the murder of Darnelle Puerto and the attempted murder of Jehvon Ramclam in connection with a shooting that occurred on December 24, 2023, in Belize City. Puerto was fatally shot in the incident, while Ramclam sustained injuries.
During today’s proceedings, Justice Pilgrim heard oral submissions from both the Crown and the defence before reserving his decision.
Representing the Crown, Crown Counsel Kirk Brown argued that the prosecution had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Perrera committed both offences. Brown submitted that while it is undisputed Puerto died unlawfully and Ramclam was intentionally injured, the central issues before the court are identification and intent.
According to Brown, Ramclam’s identification of Perrera as the shooter was strong and reliable, based on close-range recognition under good lighting conditions, and remained consistent under cross-examination. He further argued that Ramclam’s testimony was supported by both forensic and medical evidence, which aligned with his account of the shooting.
The Crown also contended that the defence’s case was weak, describing Perrera’s alibi as false and inconsistent, and criticized the credibility of defence witnesses. Brown urged the court to return guilty verdicts on both charges, stating that the accused’s actions demonstrated a clear intent to kill.
However, defence attorney Joanne Zuniga Stuart countered that the prosecution had failed to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Perrera was the gunman. Stuart argued that the case rests heavily on a single eyewitness whose testimony she described as inconsistent.
She further submitted that evidence from a medical doctor contradicted the witness’s account of how the parties were positioned during the shooting. The defence also alleged that the prosecution’s main witness may have had an improper motive connected to his brother’s death.
Stuart additionally pointed to the absence of physical evidence, noting that no weapon, clothing, or other direct evidence was presented to conclusively link Perrera to the crime. On that basis, the defence asked the court to acquit Perrera of all charges.
Justice Pilgrim is expected to deliver his ruling when the matter resumes on June 5, 2026.
The post Shaquille Perrera awaits verdict in Darnelle Puerto murder case as trial concludes; Defense argues for acquittal, Prosecution says ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ Perrera did it appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: The murder and attempted murder trial of Shaquille Perrera concluded late Wednesday evening in the High Court, where Justice Nigel Pilgrim further remanded the accused to the Belize Central Prison pending a verdict scheduled for Friday, June 5, 2026. Perrera, a Belizean citizen, is accused of the murder of Darnelle
The post Shaquille Perrera awaits verdict in Darnelle Puerto murder case as trial concludes; Defense argues for acquittal, Prosecution says ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ Perrera did it appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
