Did former Prime Minister Said Musa steal twenty million Belize dollars in public funds? That’s the question that will have to be decided by a jury after he was committed to stand trial in the Supreme Court on a charge of theft. Magistrate Earl Jones announced his decision this morning in Belmopan Magistrate’s Court ending a preliminary inquiry in which arguments were heard on January 29th. At that time Musa’s lead attorney Edwin Flower made a no case submission. Magistrate Jones did not give his decision immediately, saying he needed time to consider the arguments from both sides.
He found that there is enough evidence to establish a prima facie case against the former two term Prime Minister. On the issue of jurisdiction, he found that, “while the offence was committed abroad....the intended result is the commission of a criminal offence...in Belize.” As regards the question of ownership of the money as property, and the contention that no ownership was established so Musa couldn’t have stolen it. Jones found that by the evidence of the deposition of Amalia Mai and the letter sent by former PM Musa, he assumed the rights of ownership.
With that written decision which took less than ten minutes to deliver, Jones found that there is enough to commit Musa to stand trial in the next session of the Supreme Court on April 7th., 2009. Backed by a group of supporters, Musa told us he is disappointed, but confident.
Said Musa, Accused of Theft
“I am still very confident; it is not over until it is over.”
Jules Vasquez,
You must be disappointed though.
Said Musa,
“Yes I am disappointed because I believe that from day one this is a bogus charge. It is political persecution, it is a witch hunt, and I felt that the statements that were submitted to the court clearly show that no money was stolen. But you know in this business, some people just insist on passing the buck and I can understand that, the pressures are tremendous. This is what we are dealing with. I believe in the justice system and I believe in the end justice will prevail. The fact of the matter is who is leading the whole prosecution in this matter. The Prime Minister himself. It is his statement, for almost a year now, he has been insisting that he wants to have me charged and he is getting his way now, I am being charged and I am now being sent for trail. In fact he himself has volunteered a statement. So it is very clear that this thing has executive pressure behind it.”
Jules Vasquez,
With all that has said publicly about this, are you concerned that it will be difficult for you to get a fair trial before a jury?
Said Musa,
“Well I don’t know. I’ve always believed in the jury system, in being judged by your peers. This is not the first time that I am being charged by this UDP government. This is the third time in fact.”
Jules Vasquez,
But this is the first time you’re going to the Supreme Court before a jury.
Said Musa,
“Yes indeed. I am not scared of a jury trial. Indeed I believe that in the end they will see from whatever evidence is presented that absolutely no money was stolen, not one penny came to me or anybody in the People’s United Party government. It was used to pay off the debt.”
Jules Vasquez,
Sir seeing that so much turns upon the statement of Amalai Mai, the attorney for Ralph Fonseca, Dickie Bradley, in court characterized her as a snitch. Seeing now that so much now turns upon her statement, do you feel disappointed or letdown that she gave a deposition or disposition as the Magistrate called it?
Said Musa,
“I don’t really want to comment about the behaviour of Amalai Mai. The fact of the matter is that as you know they were threatening to charge her as well and you know how these things go. You know how these things go.”
Musa had a strong showing of supporters today, but they were generally muted by the decision which was adverse to him.
