On December 22nd of last year we told you about the controversial conviction of Kenrick Williams in Corozal. Williams was accused of killing a 16 year old girl in Corozal. But after a lengthy trial, the jury could not each a unanimous decision – which is an absolute requirement for a murder conviction. Justice Herbert Lord still declared him guilty of murder.
When it went for sentencing earlier this week in Orange Walk, the DPP’s Office asked for it to be set aside. DPP Cheryl Lynn Vidal told us her office had no choice but to ask for that. She says that they will now go for a re-trial. That poses its own difficulties because over a dozen witnesses were called in a trial that went for almost two weeks.
In March of 2004, 16 year old second former Elia Gonzalez was brutally slain in Libertad Village in the Corozal District. She was strangled, after being raped and her hands tied with her own shoelaces. Police were led to the accused after he was caught trying to sell a ring that belonged to Elia Gonzalez. That accused man has now been set free pending the retrial.
