Police today charged two brothers for the grenade blast that killed a 16 year old and injured 11 others. Late this afternoon, 16 year old Akeem Smith, and his 20 year old brother, Kareem Smith, were arraigned on separate charges. In Magistrate’s Court both brothers were charged with conspiracy to commit murder. But the greater burden fell to 16 year old Akeem. He was transferred to the Belize Family Court where he was arraigned on a single murder charge and about 12 counts of attempted murder charges. We note that the police charged only him for murder. And their mother is most displeased. She blamed the media for putting her teenaged son’s picture on the news – which we were asked to do by the police. But, asking to appear off camera, she wasn’t easily consoled. She told us her sons were wrongly accused.
Mother of Accused,
“They chanced my two sons because they are innocent and the ones who did it, they are battams are going cinco-seis thinking they will call them. They are calling their names but from the thing happened, they said it was a clear person but all of a sudden my children are black and they turned clear and after that they got back black.”
Anita Nembhard,
Mr. Martinez, do you expect to make any another charges in relation to this?
Sinquest Martinez, Lead Investigator
“There should be more charges coming up yes pertaining to this investigation.”
Janelle Chanona, News 5
“For those same individuals?”
Sinquest Martinez,
“Yes.”
Janelle Chanona,
“What have they been charged with as of today?
Sinquest Martinez,
“Both are being charged for murder and attempted murder they are being charged for.”
Janelle Chanona,
“Is the police looking into finding out if more grenades are out on the street?”
Sinquest Martinez,
“Exactly and we need to put an end to this immediately because we don’t want this to continue. It is very dangerous. Innocent people and passerbys could get hurt with these gruesome attacks.”
Both brothers were remanded into police custody until May 30, but Kareem Smith was told that can apply for bail on the conspiracy charge through the Supreme Court. But he may not be able to. Court records show that in October of 2007 he was let out on bail for an unrelated charge on the condition that if he gets charged for anything else – that bail will be revoked. He will re-appear on Tuesday to have that bail officially revoked.
