by Roy Davis (freelance writer)

BELIZE CITY, Tues. Feb. 13, 2024

Michael Baptist, Jr., 28, aka, “Chuckie,” who was convicted of dangerous harm, was sentenced to 9 years and 1 month today by Justice Nigel Pilgrim.

The maximum sentence for the offence is 20 years, and Justice Pilgrim put the starting point for the sentence at 13 years. Because of the aggravating factors – the fact that it was a serious and prevalent offence, and that the victim was the convict’s stepfather, and that it was a betrayal of trust – Justice Pilgrim added 2 years on to the sentence, which put it at 15 years. He then added 6 months for a theft conviction, and after that he subtracted 4 years and 6 months because of the mitigating factors.

Then, because Baptist had spent 23 months and 8 days on remand, that time was deducted, which put the sentence at 9 years and 1 month.
The sentence is to take effect from November 22, 2023.

The incident occurred on July 26, 2016, at the home of victim, Eugene “Fatback” Webster, located in Los Lagos.

Webster testified that on July 25, 2016, Baptist came to his house and asked to wash his vehicle; but it was washed already, so he gave Baptist money to take a bus to Belize City. He said Baptist left and returned later and asked him if he could stay the night.

Webster said he allowed Baptist to stay, and at about 2:00 in the morning he was attacked by Baptist who began to stab him with 2 knives. Baptist then fled after stabbing Webster 27 times.

Dr. Edison Mungia, who was Webster’s doctor, testified that if Webster did not get surgery he would have died.

Baptist was found guilty by a jury of 9 on November 30, 2023.

Baptist was represented by attorney Norman Moore.

The DPP represented the Crown.