For four days Taedron Bennett was a wanted man and it wasn't until today that the accused double murderer turned himself into police. Bennett was wanted for Sunday morning's double murder of Phillip and Kevin B Brannon and attempted murder of Basil Brannon and Mervin Humes. At 10 this morning, accompanied by his Attorney Simeon Sampson, Bennett surrendered at the Criminal Investigations Branch office on Queen Street. That is where the accused double murderer is tonight and this evening his attorney told us why it took Taedron four days to reach the police station.
Simeon Sampson, Bennett's Attorney
"The family of Bennett retained me to see what I can do professionally for him. I was taken to a location of the Cayo District where I met him and after I met him, I called Chester to the effect that I had him and I will bring him. Chester told me no problem but there was a weather pattern where we were, it was terrible, and I wanted to come back home because I am with the Gabby Affif case. Anyway, I returned to Belize City without him but he was going to join me this morning at CIB which he did, except that apparently, for other reasons which I can't explain, a police officer also contributed to his presentation so I went to the CIB this morning and he was there and he was interviewed by. Mr. Chester Williams in my presence and that's where it is."
Keith Swift,
Around what time this morning?
Simeon Sampson,
"10 o'clock this morning."
Keith Swift,
He is still at the police station, not in jail, but he has already been charged in absentia. Why is he still there tonight?
Simeon Sampson,
"Interesting question; legally, technically, constitutionally because as I was contending with the officers of the CIB this morning, you have already charged this man. The whole world through the internet know that you got your man. Your investigation so far, as prima facie, has led you to him. Why the CIB refused to take this man before the court this morning, was a contention that I was ventilating there with them but what can I do, I am lawyer and I do not fight cases in the police station. I fight cases in court. They say they will not take him to court until tomorrow morning."
Bennett was charged in absentia yesterday along with 25-year-old Ricky Aguilar and 27-year-old Joseph Kee for two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, four counts of conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of dangerous harm and two counts of use of deadly means of harm. Bennett is represented by Senior Counsels Ellis Arnold and Simeon Sampson. Arnold is also representing Joseph Kee and Ricky Aguilar. Michael Peyrefitte is also the attorney on record for Aguilar.
And as the police wrap up their investigations, today a community said goodbye
to Phillip and Kevin Brannon. Funeral services were held for the brothers this afternoon at Saint John's Cathedral. A procession to the Lord Ridge Cemetery followed. There were two caskets but the shared grief was depicted by t-shirts with the pictures of both brothers.
They become the second and third Brannon brothers to die young. In the mid 90's another, younger brother drowned near his Bird's Isle home.
