In the course of our investigation - we learned that Borja was also a linseed gun owner - despite having a number of charges of theft brought against him when he was in 6th form. Those charges were dropped when the proceeds were re-paid but we note that at that time he was also accused of theft of $20,000 in goods from another businessman.
And though he was never convicted, the charges against him were serious - but apparently not so much to disqualify from getting not one but two gun licenses.
It seems to go against what the ComPol has been adamant about, that those who are accused of a crime should be disqualified. However, today he backtracked, and said that discretion must be used, and in this case, Borja was a legitimate businessman.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"I think the accusations of criminal fraud came after the issuance of the gun license."
Jules Vasquez:
"Sir, he got gun license when he was in sixth form?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"No."
Jules Vasquez:
"Those accusations came against him when he was a sixth form student."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"I'm not too sure about that, but like you said, he is a business man, or he was a business man, he owned a consultancy and I think he was also engaged in real estate and he did apply for gun licenses and I can tell you, I was the one who approved those licenses. He did produce all the requisite documents and proof that he owns a business and he was generating funds and so he would fall within the category of those persons and in addition to that, there was no conviction that he had for any crime, yes there's accusations, like there's any accusations made against people but again, he was never taken to court on those accusations."
Jules Vasquez:
"He was arraigned in court. He was criminal arraigned, he may not have been convicted, but he was criminally arraigned. So you are changing the standard because you used to say that even if you are accused, you can't get a license."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"No, no, I am not saying that. There are many persons who were accused of crimes and they were acquitted and they get gun licenses. again, you have to look at, I don't want to rehash this gun license thing, we have to look at what people are engaged in. Certainly the young man did produce good credentials of being a legitimate businessman, engaged in different activities business wise and based on that, in my judgement, I issued the gun license, I have no remorse in issuing that, it's not like he had used the license firearm to commit a crime. He in this case is a victim of a crime, and I don't think we should vilify him for that."
Police have confirmed that neither of his guns were stolen during the murder.
