BELMOPAN, Mon. June 11, 2018– Wilser Chavarria, 23, accused of the murder of Panamanian diplomat Jose Rodrigo de la Rosa Stanford, 64, of Belmopan, that occurred in November 2014, has been found not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter.
The verdict was issued by Supreme Court judge, Justice Antoinette Moore, on Friday evening.
According to a report on Plus TV, Chavarria claimed self-defense because a sexual assault was being committed on him by the career diplomat.
Chavarria told the court that the career diplomat offered to treat him to drinks. Chavarria went with him and the diplomat drove to a remote area, where he allegedly made sexual advances on Chavarria.
Chavarria said that he rejected the diplomat’s advances and a struggle ensued between the two men. The diplomat tried to hold him down in a chokehold, and that was when Chavarria managed to get a blade and slashed him.
Chavarria had tried to dispose of the body.
Justice Moore adjourned the case for sentencing until July 27.