On Tuesday you heard an alarming account from a 14-year-old girl who alleged that she was raped by multiple men while on her way home. Police acted quickly and detained the four men she claims were her attackers, and today two of those men appeared in court. 18-year-old Ikwan Reneau and a 16-year-old minor were arraigned in court today on a single charge of rape of a child. The proceedings lasted most of the day due to the matter of bail. While Reneau was remanded, considerations were given to the minor who is a high school student. However, the prosecution also requested that the safety of the victim be considered as well. After court, attorney Norman Rodriguez, who represented both of the accused, explained further.
Norman Rodriguez, Attorney
"In court today, prosecution objected and the prosecution strongly objected which is fair, we expect that the prosecution will come and do its job. The objection was on section 16 of the crime control and criminal justice act, however, for the minor, the court is considering his application based on the fact like I said, he's a student. The other person, Mr Reneau was denied bail and he now has to apply to the Supreme Court where he can get bail."
"I do not want to downplay any objection or any issue that arises to the safety of someone who has been allegedly hurt by somebody else in any form so I will not try to downplay it but I think at the time that that objection came, it was more like fishing to deny the freedom of the accused men. That should have come from the outset when the objection was made, it came too late, the court still has to consider it because it has to do with the safety of someone and the court has made its orders. The magistrate prudently ordered certain things and once those come in then she can make a final decision when we come back on the 17th as to the minor. But like I submitted in court, there are certain people in a school compound throughout the day and there are certain procedures as to how you deal with those who break the school rules. In addition, the minor who is charged for this crime, his mother is a very strict person and she has undertaken to the court that she will ensure as far as she can that he complies with the orders of the court and the laws of Belize."
The case for bail consideration for the minor was adjourned to January 17th. He was remanded to Wagner's Youth Facility in the meantime.
