And from a police accused of misconduct to another who pleaded guilty to it….
Thirty eight year old police constable Edwardo Colli, charged with extortion, changed his plea from not guilty to guilty when he appeared in the Belmopan Supreme court today.
Colli changed his plea after the complainant, fruit vendor, Rigoberto Beron testified. Justice Troadio Gonzalez directed the jury to return a formal verdict of guilty, then fined Colli One thousand five hundred dollars. He was given until March 30, 2011 to pay the fine, in default, he will serve one year in prison.
The incident occurred on March 2nd, 2009 in Belmopan. Beron testified that Colli who detained him and told him he would release him if he handed over Two Hundred dollars.
After promising to pay the money the following day, Beron said Colli released him. Beron said he reported the matter to the police who set up a sting and observed from an unmarked car when he paid Colli One hundred and twenty dollars the next day. Colli was not represented by an Attorney. Senior Crown Counsel Cecil Ramirez represented the prosecution.
