For the past two nights we've been reporting on the case of 27 year old carpenter Alexander Holder - the Coye Funeral Parlour employee who broke into his own workplace and burglarized it.
He was sentenced to four years after he confessed to the crime in court, even though he says he gave the proceeds - less than 1,500 dollars - to a homeless man.
Well, since then the case has become a cause célèbre, evoking pathos across Belize - more so since information emerged saying that Holder is a special needs man, and that his former employer, David Coye didn't even want to press charges - much less have this skilled tradesman faced hard time.
But, what to do about it? Coye says he plans to file an urgent appeal in the Supreme Court. This morning on Sunup on 7, host and Attorney Brandon Usher the particular legal pickle that Holder finds himself in:
We know that efforts are underway in other areas to try and bring the matter before the Belize Advisory Council and urge them to recommend a pardon to the Governor General for her to exercise what is known as "the prerogative of mercy."
That's just about the only possible immediate remedy - but it's still an extreme measure, and we'll see how far that effort goes.
