Another sentence for murder was handed down today - this one in the Belize City Supreme Court.
In 2015, Keon Dennison and Tyrone Reid - then aged 18 and 19, respectively, were accused of the murder of 47 year old businessman, Rueben Perez, 47, who gunned down inside his businessplace, Perez Hardware in a robbery.
It was caught on surveillance video and that's why the man who pulled the trigger, Tyrone Reid pleaded guilty to murder in March - and the judge sentenced him to 31 years in prison - les this time served so far.
But, his accomplice, Dennison decided to take his chance in a trial despite the overwhelming evidence of the surveillance video footage, an eyewitness account putting him at the scene of of murder, and a caution statement that was admitted into evidence against him.
And, today, new judge Ricardo O'Neal Sandcroft handed down his first guilty verdict this morning, when he found Dennison guilty of murder.
In his 50 page ruling, Justice Sandcroft concluded that the crown had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt to allow him to be sure of the guilt of Dennison.
He also noted that after the murder, Dennison went back stole the dead Businessman's cellphone.
Sentencing for Dennison has been set for June 16, 2022 when a mitigation plea will be heard on his behalf. Tonight, Dennison who was out on Supreme Court bail for murder is back on remand at the Belize Central Prison.
