BDF Private Paulino Assi was assigned to guard a hurricane shelter in November of 2008 - but things took a turn and he ended up shooting a civilian who later died.
The Twenty three year old private Assi was convicted of manslaughter two weeks ago and he was sentenced yesterday in the Northern Session of the Supreme Court..
Before he decided on the sentence, Justice Lord heard pleas for mitigation from several character witnesses. Lord then sentenced the soldier to ten years in prison.
21 year old George Cortez was shot by Assi while he was standing in front of the community center in San Jose Village, Orange Walk. Cortez was shot in his right thigh and the bullet exited through his left thigh. He died the following day while undergoing treatment at the hospital. Assi was represented by attorney Lionel Welch. Crown Council Trienia Young represented the prosecution.
