Serious enough for Shoman to summon the media once again to his home on Northern Highway where flanked by his attorney Derek Courtenay - he flatly denied the allegations. Shoman says that yes - he has visited the prison since the six men were remanded - but that on his visit but he did not come in contact with any of the accused. In fact he says he has no reason to do so.
Jose Shoman,
“But for them to try and pervert our system and use it to distract from the crime that they were coming here to commit and try and accuse decent up-righting citizens, accuse me of threatening them, I am the businessman, I am the family man, I am the Belizean that is outside working hard. They are the supposed criminal that are in jail and from behind the walls at Kolbe, they are trying to come and use the court to accuse me of threatening them. I have no use for them. I have no need to see them. They are where they belong and that is the end of it. I have never threatened them. I have no need to do so. They are where they belong and as far as the accusation go there is no truth or foundation to it whatsoever.
I was the guest of the Director. I think in early January to visit the facilities as a businessman as many other businessmen were invited to see the rehabilitation process and the workings of the Kolbe Foundation which I am very impressed with.
The Director wanted to reassure me that all is well. Firstly let us look into the procedures of the Kolbe Foundation. It felt as though I was approaching an airport because not even a pen can pass through those metal detectors. So it seemed absurd when they came with the idea of a threat. No such threat, no nothing like that. I don’t even think a hairpin Keith can go into that place.”
Police are supposedly investigating but reports are that the men who stood up in court and accused Shoman of threatening them – aren’t cooperating with police. And if all the back and forth isn’t enough – here is another twist. Shoman says that he has been receiving threatening telephone calls and text messages.
Jose Shoman,
“I have been threatened. Yes it has been documented, it certainly has been documented. I have received phone threats, I’ve received text messages threats, and saying that I should desist – they think I have brought the charges on them, they put themselves where they are right now, and if I don’t desist, me and my family will come to harm. I feel very comfortable where I am because they are where they belong.”
So as it stands tonight – 22-year-old Cesar Jose Aldana, Aldo Miguel Urbina, 47-year-old Miguel Mayorga along with three minor’s ages 17 are in jail. One of the minors attempted to plead guilty to the firearm and ammunitions charges but that plea was refused. They intend to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.
