body,td,th { font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; }
Inspector Christopher Martinez, who is on trial for wounding a detainee, spontaneously stood up in court today to plead guilty to the charge, despite a previous plea of not guilty.
And that previous plea also came after an initial guilty plea.
That's not the strangest thing that has happened during this trial which started last year. We've seen attorneys recuse themselves and conjure up false charge withdrawals.
But today, in the middle of the proceeding, Martinez accepted guilt. However, since he has changed his plea before, the DPP requested sentencing to take place immediately, before he changes his mind again. That request wasn't granted but outside of the courtroom, the victim, Aaron Flowers said he was glad that it seems he might finally get justice.
Aaron Flowers, Assaulted In Police Detention
"I felt real good, you know the reason why? But not absolutely good because I want him to do to prison. Because, for example, a lot of criminals out here do crime and don't get any chances. We're all human beings, it doesn't mean if you're a police officer, if you're an attorney, if the worst could get Selgado just for speaking bad about someone, look at all the injustice that's been happening in Belize. Look at all that's been happening. If this was not on camera and I did not have a father and a mother that loved me, this would have been like nothing. They tried to pay me house and land, they tried to give me licensed gun, they tried to give me money but nothing can buy my integrity. You see in the middle of my head right now, this is a scar that could never be replaced. I'm filing a lawsuit, but you see the lawsuit? Not even $40,000, not even $50,000 could ever replace or bring my head back normal. Every time I take a trim I feel this."
"Yes I forgive the guy in his heart for what he did to me but I'm glad justice has been served. I'm just waiting to see what will be the outcome."
Reporter:
"Are you cautiously optimistic about whether or not he will switch up on your again."
Aaron Flowers, Assaulted In Police Detention
"Well I'm wondering if he's buying time because with the police system we have in Belize, I'm not saying all the police, but majority of the police are buyovers. Majority of the police are guys that come off the street. Majority of the police don't go through a circumstances or a situation so you could say a psychiatrist could evaluate them."
"Yes my name might be prosecuted, next thing you hear they want to charge Mr Flowers for a murder, next thing they find me with a gun, but I will never stop standing up for my rights. I'm black, I'm poor, but one thing I won't give up on, it's my rights."
Sentencing is set for September 13th. In a previous sentencing indication the Chief Magistrate had stated that she would be imposing a custodial sentence.
