A schoolteacher and scout leader accused of raping a 12-year-old female student is tonight free from the law and free to return to the classroom. This afternoon after about two hours of deliberations, a jury acquitted 35 year old science teacher Antonio Aragon for raping his student on July 22nd of 2004. That same jury of 4 men and 5 women also found Aragon not guilty on the lesser count of unlawful carnal knowledge.
In court the girl, who is now 14, claimed that Aragon drove her from Orange Walk to Belize City and on the way back he diverted onto a feeder road near the Boom cutoff and raped her. Aragon took the stand in his own defense and denied the charges. In the end the jury agreed with Aragon and after his acquittal he told us justice was served. But more importantly, Aragon says he's ready to return to his classroom at La Immaculada Primary School.
Antonio Aragon, Acquitted of Rape
"I feel very happy. To be honest there is no word I can use to express my happiness right now. What I am happy about is that there is indeed a legal system in Belize that you can proceed and actually find yourself innocent if you are."
Keith Swift,
Are you saying this little girl lied?
Antonio Aragon,
"Most naturally that was a big lie, a big setup. From the start I was saying it and thank God the jury believed me and I am so happy about it."
Keith Swift,
Why would she lie?
Antonio Aragon,
"That's something...I expected her to lie but not that big because if you were in the court and you heard my side of the story, you could have known how it is she came up with that big lie. She was protecting herself, I do not blame her. She was protecting herself all the while and she was afraid but I think she overreacted and she did something that I hope she will not forget in the future of her life."
Keith Swift,
We don't want to try the case on TV but this girl said you took her in your pickup to Belize City and raped her on the way back. Did you take her?
Antonio Aragon,
"We did come to Belize, we did head back home, but her side of the story that we stopped on a feeder road, that is a total lie."
Keith Swift,
Will you return to teaching?
Antonio Aragon,
"I hope so. Right now my name is cleared and I hope I can reinstated back into my job."
Keith Swift,
Do you think you will ever be trusted in the classroom again with kids?
Antonio Aragon,
"Well I have no idea. I hope that now with my name cleared, I hope that I can gain that trust again."
Aragon has been on suspension for about two years and was receiving half his salary. The school's principal told us that the decision to reinstate Aragon will be made by the school's manager.
