_{Photo: Giovanni Henry Ramirez, charged}

by Kristen Ku

BELIZE CITY, Mon. May 13, 2024

On Thursday, May 9, police officially arrested and charged Giovanni Henry Ramirez, a 30-year-old Belizean laborer of Seine Bight Village, for being a member of a gang.

While such charges might not typically attract significant attention, Ramirez’s case is notable due to his critical role in the conviction of Belize’s first attorney- at-law to be imprisoned, Oscar Selgado.

Ramirez, also known as “G” or “G Money”, was the key witness who provided a statement and material evidence to the police, leading to Selgado’s conviction for abetment to murder in connection with an attempt in 2019 to have Marilyn Burns, a former client of his, killed. Ramirez had informed police that Selgado paid him to carry out the hit on Burns, who had reportedly filed a complaint about Selgado with the General Legal Council. There were even allegations that Ramirez had recorded meetings with Selgado.

Though not present in court to testify, Ramirez’s statement was admitted into evidence during Selgado’s trial.

Back in March, Ramirez was apprehended under the State of Emergency measures and eventually released; but on Friday he found himself on the other side of the law, accused of being a member of the Back-Ah-Land Crips gang.

He pleaded not guilty when he appeared in court on Friday, May 10. Ramirez was denied bail and was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until his next court date on July 24.

According to court records, Ramirez has prior convictions for handling an unlicensed firearm, handling stolen property, and wounding, among others.