Witness Scared To Testify, Alleged Killer Walks Free

40 year old Shawn Palacio's family will not know justice. That's after the trial for "Ras Shawn's" killer walked free today. The case ended in a "nolle pros" after the main witness refused to testify because she was too afraid.

So, 21 year old Jahstar Gonguez walked free after spending two and a half years on remand for murder.

The crown's main witness, a woman who had witnessed the murder of Palacio, chose not to testify after she was told that there is no witness protection system in Belize.

In November of 2021,"Ras Shawn", was gunned down while walking on Mudd Street in the Jane Usher Boulevard area of Belize City. His murder came as a shot to the community since he was not known to be involved in violent crime.