Brother and sister, David Uk, 43, and Seidi Salazar, 32, have been acquitted of a charge of murder in the death of Mario Chi, 40, in Santa Elena Town in 2009.
On October 25, Chi and David’s ex-girlfriend, Anna Uk, were at his home when someone walked in and shot Chi once, fatally.
David Uk and Seidi Salazar were arrested and charged the next day amid reports that jealousy may have been a factor, as Anna left David for Mario Chi because of reported abuse in their relationship.
Justice Troadio Gonzalez and a jury heard the case in Belmopan. Uk and Salazar were represented by attorney Richard “Dickie” Bradley, and Senior Crown Counsel Cecil Ramirez prosecuted.
Police had obtained a caution statement from both accused while in their custody, but in a voir dire held by Justice Gonzalez to determine the admissibility of the caution statement of David Uk, it was revealed that Uk had sustained multiple bruises across his body from allegedly being beaten by police while in their custody, for which he was treated at the local hospital on the order of the local magistrate.
The injuries were classified as harm.
A woman who was detained at the same time told the court that she witnessed police remove Uk from his cell and take him away, and shortly thereafter, there were screams. Sometime later, two officers brought back Uk, who was unable to walk and had to be helped back to his cell.
The statement by Uk was thrown out by Justice Gonzalez on Friday, February 17, and with no other evidence presented, Bradley made a no-case submission which was upheld, and the jury was directed to find Uk not guilty.
On Monday, February 20, the prosecution closed its case against Salazar, having called 9 witnesses. But Justice Gonzalez agreed with Bradley’s submission that his client had no evidence against her or any knowledge of or involvement in Chi’s death, and the jury likewise was directed to find her not guilty and set her free.