Posted: Saturday, December 21, 2024. 9:01 am CST.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Lincoln Daniel Diaz, now 23, walked free from the High Court this week after being acquitted of the July 27, 2020 shooting murder of Orin Velasquez, also known as “Bredda O,” a prominent businessman from Ladyville. Diaz had been on remand for over four years awaiting trial.
The court’s decision came after Justice Candace Nanton found insufficient evidence to convict Diaz of murder or manslaughter. While the Crown had argued Diaz was involved in a joint enterprise to rob Velasquez, the judge concluded there was no proof of intent to kill.
Diaz’s defense, led by attorney Lynden Jones, maintained that Diaz had gone to the scene with the intention to rob, not to kill. He admitted to being present during the incident but denied shooting Velasquez, placing the blame on an unidentified accomplice, known only as “Coolie.”
The court rejected several key pieces of evidence presented by the Crown, including a statement from a female witness who claimed Diaz confessed to being the shooter. Justice Nanton ruled that the witness’s credibility was compromised, as a police officer had allegedly told her Diaz was the shooter before she made her statement.
Diaz, who was charged with the murder in 2022, had been on remand since October 2020. After the verdict, Diaz, who was supported by relatives in court, expressed his relief and joy at being acquitted.
His defense highlighted that while the robbery was planned, the court could not infer an intent to kill Velasquez. As a result, Diaz was acquitted, and his case was dismissed.
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The post Teenager acquitted of murder in 2020 shooting death of businessman ‘Bredda O’ appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Saturday, December 21, 2024. 9:01 am CST. By Breaking Belize News Staff: Lincoln Daniel Diaz, now 23, walked free from the High Court this week
The post Teenager acquitted of murder in 2020 shooting death of businessman ‘Bredda O’ appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
