Belize City Councilor Dean Samuels is home tonight on bail after he was charged for pulling a firearm on a man and driving recklessly while under the influence of alcohol. The 34 year old was arraigned this afternoon on a total of six charges but two were dropped. Our coverage begins at the Magistrate's Court at his arraignment.
Keith Swift Reporting,
This afternoon city councilor Dean Samuels was calm and collected, pleasant even, as police escorted him to the Magistrate's Court for his arraignment on charges of aggravated assault, discharging a firearm in public, and driving while under the influence.
But the Dean Samuels at 2 pm was a far cry from the disheveled Samuels who hid his face from cameras as he was taken to Magistrate's Court this morning after 8 hours in police lockdown.
The incident occurred around 3 am here near the Putt Putt Bar and Grill on Newtown Barracks. Police say that a car being driven by Councilor Samuels hit a car belonging to Reece Rudon. It was a minor fender bender but police say a violent confrontation followed.
Sr. Supt. Chester Williams, Deputy Commander - Eastern Division
"Police received a complaint from one Reece who reported that whilst at the Putt Putt Bar, Mr. Samuels drove off and allegedly knocked his vehicle. As a result of that he came out and informed Mr. Samuels. A confrontation occurred between them during which Mr. Samuels allegedly took out his licensed 9 milimeter
pistol and pointed it at the complainant, threatening him in the process. The matter was investigated by the police which led to the detention of Mr. Samuels. He has since been arrested and charged for aggravated assault with a firearm, driving a motor vehicle with alcohol above the prescribed limit,, driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention, discharging a firearm in public and possession of a licensed firearm while under influence of alcohol."
Keith Swift,
You're saying the Councilor was driving drunk?
Sr. Supt. Chester Williams,
"Well at this time we have sent the specimen received from him to the lab and they will confirm it. What we normally do is go ahead and put the charges until the lab confirms it. If the lab result is that he was not under the influence then the matter is withdrawn in the court."
But that's not what Reece Rudon says happened. This afternoon he went to court and asked Magistrate Dorothy Flowers to drop the charges against councilor Samuels Two of them were dropped, the most serious of which was the aggravated assault on Reece. That would have meant automatic jail time for Samuels but with it gone, Councilor Samuels was released on bail of 15 hundred dollars.
Keith Swift,
Councilor do you have anything to say?
Dean Samuels, Belize City Councilor
"Not right now. I will update you guys but right now I don't really have no comment right now."
Keith Swift,
Sir you are accused of discharging a firearm in public.
Dean Samuels,
"No comment right now."
And while Samuels deferred comment, his attorney Michael Peyrefitte didn't.
Michael Peyrefitte, Samuels' Attorney
"Mr. Samuels was detained at the Police Department. I went there. I held the charges that he had and we came to court and there was an indication to me that Mr. Rudon was not supportive of the type of charge that was brought against Mr. Samuels because that was not the type of information he gave to the police. So it is questionable from the very outset why it is the police decided to charge him with such a charge and so Mr. Rudon I guess decided to come here and withdraw the charges."
Keith Swift,
Mike your client is accused of firing a firearm in public. He is also accused of pointing a gun in a man's face.
Michael Peyrefitte,
"And the man just came here and told the court that that is not true and the operative word is accused. I can accuse you of anything right now but that is not the point. We will have our day in court and then the justice system will take its course."
Keith Swift,
The obvious question is are you targeting Dean Samuels because he is a UDP City Councilor?
Sr. Supt. Chester Williams,
"No, we the police we are professionals, we operate as professionals. As far as we are concerned there is evidence to suggest that Mr. Samuels has committed a crime and he has been dealt with just like any ordinary person. It does not have anything to do with his political preference or political affiliations."
Keith Swift,
Are you saying that the police trumped up charges against Mr. Samuels because he is a UDP City Councilor?
Michael Peyrefitte,
"No I am not saying that. I am saying that if somebody points a gun at me and aggravatedly assaults me and that is the truth, I don't see why I would come to court and drop the charges. Clearly this individual felt that those charges were unjustified."
And as for his job as a city councilor, Peyrefitte says Samuels' arrest doesn't change anything.
Michael Peyrefitte,
"I don't see how it could affect his work. He is innocent until proven guilty and as long as he is just an accused person, as the law says, we have to treat him as an innocent person so I think his work at the Council will go on as per usual."
Samuels again was released on bail of $1,500. He was originally charged with discharging a firearm in public, possession of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol, using threatening behavior, driving without paying due care and attention, and driving with alcohol blood level above the prescribed limit. Again the aggravated assault and use of threatening behavior charges were dropped. Councilor Samuels is City Councilor with responsibility for the Traffic Department.
