by Roy Davis (freelance reporter)

BELIZE CITY, Tues. Dec. 19, 2023

A legal point was raised today when the main trial of attorney Oscar Selgado, who is charged with abetment to murder, began before Justice Nigel Pilgrim.

The Crown, represented by the Director of Public Prosecution, Cheryl Lynn Vidal, and Crown Counsel Sambula, proposed that the evidence led by the Crown at the voire dire be incorporated into the main trial. If that were done, the witnesses for the Crown would not have to testify and be subjected to cross examination a second time.

But for that to happen, the defense, represented by attorney Adolph Lucas, Sr., would have to agree. Lucas has not yet made a decision, and as a result, the trial was adjourned until January 22, 2024. He was given two judgements by Justice Pilgrim to read in order to help him decide.

Two witnesses for the Crown, Police Commissioner Chester Williams and former police inspector Wilfredo Ferrufino, were waiting to testify. They were told by Justice Pilgrim to return to court on the adjourned date.

The Crown already has its chief evidence, which is the statement given by Giovanni Ramirez, the man Selgado allegedly attempted to hire to kill Marilyn Barnes. Although the statement was admitted into evidence, Justice Pilgrim will have to decide whether the statement is credible.