This morning the three men accused of participating in the murder of 82 year old taxi driver James Young were taken to court in Belmopan. It was a savage act, the octogenarian was kidnapped, killed, and then they drove off with his car. So who could have done the beastly deed? Well 7News was in Belmopan for the arraignment and we’ll show you the accused and you’ll hear from the man who police say did the killing. Keith Swift reports.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Belmopan Police say that the mastermind was this man: 25 year old Mathew Gentle from Esperanza Village. He was charged with murder but this morning he admitted to me that while he was involved in the murder, he didn’t kill Mr. Jimmy.
Mathew Gentle, Charged for Murder of Mr. Jimmy
“Big man right now right, I was involved in it but I can’t say if me did it check but I tell lot more will dead because those bally, they done chance me before already check. The man’s same family, they have already beat me up and bust me up.”
Keith Swift,
“But you participated in the murder of an 82 year old man.”
Mathew Gentle,
“I just di say I was a part of it but I won’t say who killed the man. I can’t say who killed the man because it wasn’t me that killed the man.”
Mathew Gentle was joined by his cousin Leon Gentle, also from Esperanza Village. Seen here in the black t-shirt,
Leon was charged for failure to prevent a felony. This morning he was angry and defiant.
Leon Gentle, Charged for failure to prevent felony
“Buckshot, I soon come for you.”
And then there was 19 year old Ricky Tzul from Camalote. He works in front of the taxi stand where Mr. Jimmy worked and three weeks ago he was showing me where he found bones thought to be those of his missing brother-in law. Today though he was in handcuffs, charged for kidnapping and then robbing James Young.
Sgt. Ismael Westby, Lead Investigator
“We conducted an investigation into the matter and that is what led us to these three individuals and we are still also looking for a fourth individual.”
Plus TV,
“Do you guys believe that Ricky, he was the first person that met Mr. Young from the area?”
Sgt. Ismael Westby,
“Like mentioned, this is something that came about in the investigation and we found out that all three individuals have been involved in this missing of Mr. Young and his murder and other than that because of our ongoing investigation, I would not comment further than that.
Due to the fact that we still have this under investigation ongoing, I would not comment as to how we came about to the charges of each individual but definitely our investigation and after having appropriate advice we brought about the charges.”
Keith Swift,
How happy are you that these guys are off the street?”
Sgt. Ismael Westby,
“Yes we’re happy that we have these guys off the street. Before we knew that there were the ones who were out there committing crimes but we had no evidence before but now after doing a complete investigation with what happened with Mr. Young, we are happy to have them off the streets.”
But perhaps no one is happier than Gilbert Young, James Young’s son.
Gilbert Young, Son of deceased
“I want to say to God be the glory for the great things he has done in the disappearance and the death of my father.”
Keith Swift,
“Are you surprised these three guys who are from the area would have done something like this?”
Gilbert Young,
“Well in the world that we are living in, we are living in a crazy world amongst some crazy people so nothing doesn’t surprise me.”
All three men were remanded to the Hattieville Prison until September 18th.
Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl Lynn Branker-Taitt objected to bail for all three. They were remanded to prison until September 18th. Police say they are still seeking a fourth suspect.
For some clarification, Ricky Tzul, whose legal name is Transito Ricardo Tzul, is the brother in law of Rudolph Hyde Jr. He went missing on May 25th. We spoke to Ricky on July 13th when he took us to roaring and to the area where he had found the bones that he thought were Hyde’s. Those bones were later found to be from a mountain cow.
