A much anticipated sentence in a high profile case was handed down in the Dangriga session of the High Court today. Police had an extra presence on the ground - and 7News was there to find out why. Here's the story:
In January of 2024, 34 year old Belizean American Christian Logan was visiting his family in Mango Creek Village when he was killed outside the Heartbeat nightclub. The man who pulled the trigger and shot him nine times was businessman Cornelio Martinez - now 40 years old.
Earlier this month, he pleaded down to manslaughter - after being initially charged for murder. That outraged the Logan family who feared he may end up getting off with a fine for killing their brother. Because they had suggested they would picket the courthouse, police had additional presence on the ground today. The street in front of the court was closed off, we saw constantly circling mobile patrols, and an added police presence on the court compound.
But there was no eruption of anger when presiding Justice Antonette Moore sentenced Martinez to 9 years in prison plus five thousand dollars in compensation. His sisters came out of the court house with their picket signs aloft and expressed gratitude that he was confined.
Classique Linarez, Sister of Deceased
"I am really grateful that I feel pleased that the justice system never failed us today. Mr. Martinez got nine years in prison, sir. And this is just to show other people and other family who is hurt by things like this to never give up, always put God first in everything and God never ever fail his people."
"It might not please everyone, sir, but for me, the nine years is good, is good. Because you know what, they have families out here who get less, who walk free."
Dickie Bradley appeared for Martinez and explained what created the possibility for a manslaughter plea:
Richard Bradley, Attorney
"The young man who lost his life had a firearm. There was an argument out of a nightclub. Chances are both of them were drinking alcohol. So their ability to restrain themselves is weakened. The person who pled guilty was sentenced to nine years imprisonment. So the judge found from the evidence in the statements that there was an element of provocation and there was an element of self-defense because the person had a firearm. And he reached for a firearm, which triggered Martinez to pull out his license firearm and release a barrage of shots."
"You can't shoot a man and drop on the ground and you claim to defend yourself. And then shoot him again. Unless he reaches for the gun a second time. So in all the circumstances, Mr. Martinez and his family were advised, plea to the lesser offence, he will go to jail, but it's not going to be as bad as if you had gone to a trial and were not successful."
Reporter
"One of the things that you were focussing on at one point or was upset about was how the charge ended up form murder to manslaughter."
Classique Linarez, Sister of Deceased
"Yes, sir, because the last news, Mr. Arzu, I look on it as an execution-style murder. I mean, how could you get over this man and shoot up a ten-time? Ten times, sir. It still hurts me, sir, because you know what this man still have his family. They could go to prison and visit this man. I can't go to a cold tomb and expect my brother to answer me. My little niece will never, ever, ever have her father at her graduation, at her wedding, at anything that is very important, sir, what all of us deserves."
Martinez's brother's Ernesto was also initially charged for murder - but it was determined that he only kicked the victim and the charge against him was withdrawn after more than a year on remand.
