Photo: John Brackett

by Roy Davis (freelance reporter)

BELIZE CITY, Wed. Apr. 19, 2023

John Brackett, 54, a former construction worker who was charged with attempted murder but had pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of use of deadly means of harm, was given a suspended sentence of 3 years when he appeared yesterday before Justice Ricardo Sandcroft. He was also ordered to pay $6,000 in compensation to the victim, Kenrick Valencio, 39, by April 18, 2024.

What the suspended sentence means is that Brackett, if he runs afoul of the law anytime during the next three years, would have to serve a three-year prison term.

Before he decided on the sentence, Justice Sandcroft said he took into consideration the mitigating factors and the aggravating factors.

The incident for which Brackett was charged occurred on February 2, 2018 in front of Novelo’s Bus Terminal on West Collet Canal Street. Valencio, who was working as a security guard at the time, told police that he was approached by Blackett, who stabbed him in his abdomen. Valencio was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in a critical condition. According to a report, Brackett stabbed Valencio because Valencio had refused him entry to the Princess Hotel and Casino.

Brackett’s left leg was amputated at the knee about 2 years later due to diabetes.

Brackett was represented during the trial and the sentencing by attorney Oscar Selgado.

Crown Counsel Robert Lord represented the Crown.