Posted: Monday, March 17, 2025. 6:05 pm CST.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Three men found guilty of an attempted armed robbery at Lina’s Store have been sentenced to a combined total of over 30 years in prison.
On Mondat morning, Marquis Conorquie, Nolbert Smith, and Keenan Castillo appeared before Chief Magistrate Jayani Wegodapola in Court #1, where they learned their fate. Conorquie and Smith each received six years for attempted robbery, while Castillo was sentenced to seven years.
For firearm offenses, Conorquie was sentenced to six years, Smith to four years, and Castillo to five years, all to run concurrently with their attempted robbery sentences. Additionally, for possession of ammunition, Conorquie received four years, and Castillo got five years, which will also run concurrently with their firearm sentences. In total, Conorquie and Castillo will each serve 12 years, while Smith will serve 10 years.
Castillo had absconded from his trial on March 7, but this morning, Prosecutor Inspector Dercene Staine successfully requested that his verdict be handed down in absentia. The Chief Magistrate, after reviewing video evidence multiple times, ruled that Castillo was clearly identifiable in the footage and found him guilty on all charges.
The attempted robbery, which lasted just three minutes from 11:28 a.m. to 11:31 a.m., was foiled when police responded swiftly, preventing the suspects from taking anything. In delivering her sentence, the Chief Magistrate highlighted several aggravating factors, including the broad daylight nature of the crime, the use of firearms, the emotional distress caused to store employees and customers, and the level of planning involved.
All three men were credited for four months of time already served while on remand.
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The post Trio convicted of Lina’s Store robbery given 12 and 10 year sentences appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Monday, March 17, 2025. 6:05 pm CST. By Breaking Belize News Staff: Three men found guilty of an attempted armed robbery at Lina’s Store have
The post Trio convicted of Lina’s Store robbery given 12 and 10 year sentences appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
