And today ASP Stacy Smith explained the charges that had been levied against Godoy and why Magana was unable to get a restraining order on Friday. She added that the only thing that could have prevented this heinous act was a revocation of his bail - however, that high court bail gave him that small window for him to carry out his threats. Here's how she put it.
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"Mr. Godoy has been charged before in relation to an offense against Miss Magana, namely harm, and he was convicted. As a matter of fact, it was just last week, Thursday. I've been advised that he was released, having pled guilty to the harm against Miss Magana. I've also been advised that Miss Magana sought to obtain a restraining order on Friday. However, due to the time that she reached the courthouse, this was not able to have been facilitated."
Jules Vasquez:
"From a policing standpoint, was there anything that the police could have done? He already had a violent crime against her and he was threatening her, etc. I understand you all cannot be personal security guards at people's home, but was there anything the police could have done to prevent this?"
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"I'm not aware if Ms. Magana would have made a report to the police in relation to the fears that she had. And if that is the case, then certainly the police would have been able to detain him pursuant to threats, if any, and it disclosed a criminal offense. But situations such as these, it appears to be, it certainly is most unfortunate. I believe it just happened that a very narrow window would have made itself available for Mr. Godoy in this instance, because he would have been on bail. And generally speaking, I am sure attempts may have been made to revoke his bail for a matter pertaining to same Ms Magana. However, it's that tiny window that unfortunately allowed for somebody who has displayed a level of violence against Miss Magana. And it's most regrettable that, you know, it culminated in this fashion."
The Ministries of Human Development and Disaster Risk Management both issued statements on this incident. The first states, quote, "Femicide, the most extreme form of violence against women, must be recognized, condemned, and urgently addressed... Efforts are ongoing to strengthen Belize's legislative and institutional frameworks to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. There is continued advocacy for the formal recognition of femicide in Belizean law." End quote.
Notably, this femicide has occurred during Domestic Abuse Awareness Month.
