A 23 year old man was killed in the capital over the weekend. Police say they have the man who did it, and Jacqueline Godwin tells us why former drinking buddies may have had mortal differences.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
Two pieces of napkin that twenty three year old Pedro Kus Jr. believed to have been holding in his hands at the time he died remain where his body was found. It was lying face up in this open bushy lot just behind the water reservoir in the Valley of Peace Village outside of Belmopan. A next door neighbour made the discovery while looking for their loved one when he did not return after he was last seen alive around six thirty on Friday evening.
Marciano Kus, Brother of murder victim
“That is why my pa start to try go out and ask where he is and if anybody knows about him or where he gone.”
The body was found in the neighbour’s yard and only a short distance away from his family’s house. At the scene few spots of blood could also be observed. When Belmopan police arrived at the location they also saw blood coming from the victim’s nose and mouth. While authorities say they could not see any other signs of injury the family claim there were marks around the neck and that it appeared as if their son and brother was strangled.
Marciano Kus,
“I talked to my pa, how he was killed, and he said he was choked. All his neck was scratched up.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
Was anything stolen from him?
Marciano Kus,
“No. Actually I don’t think so because they found small change with him.”
The family also believes that their love done was not killed where he was found
rather his body was dumped at the location. Marciano Kus claims that only recently his brother told him that someone had threatened to kill him. He believes it is the same person who is responsible for his brother’s death.
Marciano Kus,
“I was talking to him the other day and he told me that I meet the person who wants to kill me and he told me right away that I need to kill you but you are a lucky guy right now that somebody was passing that I didn’t kill you. I told him that you are my little brother and just take care of yourself and can’t do nothing same way.”
Belmopan police have detained one person who has been identified as Armando Victor Cal, a villager of Valley of Peace. From all indications, it was a senseless murder that the family strongly believes was as a result of two previous altercations the accused had with his victim. The family claims that both incidents occurred late last year. According to them their brother following an evening of drinking wanted to ride off with Col’s bike who got very upset and attacked Pedro Kus Jr.
Marciano Kus,
“So he just walked back and grabbed a bike and he said he would go and buy a next drink. This guy said no, why you will just walk with my bike like that and this guy come and lashed him with the machete and then after that my brother just told him you don’t have to fight for the bike, your bike is here, I am not stealing your bike. Everybody see all around here and I mean, he just turned back, what do you want, drop your machete man, you’re trying to harm me. He said, ‘you’re trying to do something like this, you’ll get killed.’ So my brother just turned back to say, ‘oh its you.’ He turned back and came home."
Jacqueline Godwin,
And the family believes this same individual who attacked your brother first with a machete and then with a stone is the same person who killed him?
Marciano Kus,
“Yes that’s the same person.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
Why does the family believe it is the same person?
Marciano Kus,
“Well yesterday I was there and then the person accepted, he accept
the murder.”
Deputy Officer in charge of Belmopan Police Inspector David Chi says the person they have detained Ermando Victor Cal did admit that he choked Pedro Jus Jr. and a post mortem reveal that he died due to manual strangulation. The police say Cal claims he choked Kus after the victim attacked him.
Insp. David Chi, Belmopan Police
“Police investigation into the matter reveal that Kus was socializing Friday night when he was drinking at Three Stars Bar in the village and where he got into an argument with one Victor Cal where they ended up in a struggle where he was choked by Cal and left.”
It is the second time that Rosaria Akal will have to bury one of her sons after they were killed. Seven years ago the family lost Ian Kus after someone decapitated him. His killer remains at large. Now that police have a person in custody for her second son’s murder she wants justice.
Rosaria Akal, Mother of Deceased
“I do not know if both my sons murders are related because there are no witnesses. Like how the person is detained, I hope the police do arrest him because if not he will be released and who knows what will happen next.
This is painful and this pain will not go away. It is not easy for me. I need my sons to be alive. I feel very sad that I am losing my sons this way.”
On Tuesday twenty four year old Ermando Victor Cal will be charged or the murder of Pedro Kus Jr.
Marciano Kus,
“If the person do the murder, if he accepts the murder, he caused it so I am just depending on the law.”
Jacqueline Godwin reporting for 7NEWS.
Police tell us that tomorrow, twenty four year old Ermando Victor Cal will be charged for the murder of Pedro Kus Jr.
