_{Orson “OJ” Elrington}

Attorney-at-Law, Orson “OJ” Elrington, 43, indicted for alleged rape, a day before his 44th birthday!

“He pleaded not guilty to rape and CMC set for July 1, 2025, before Justice Nigel Pilgrim in a trial by judge alone without jury.”

BELIZE CITY, Mon. June 2, 2025

Attorney-at-law, Orson “OJ” Elrington was this morning, at precisely 9:06 a.m., called into the courtroom of Justice Nigel Pilgrim, where he was indicted for the offense of rape.

Before being arraigned, Justice Pilgrim informed Elrington of his rights as a defendant.

_{OJ alongside his attorney who is also his father Senior Counsel Hubert Elrington}

Justice Pilgrim told him that, as a defendant, he has the right to legal representation; he has the right to make an application for bail, given if he was remanded, but in Elrington’s case he is out on bail; he has the right to enter a plea of guilty; he has the right to appeal for a deduction in his sentence if he pleads guilty; and if he pleads not guilty, Justice Pilgrim informed him that his case will commence in trial before him, in a trial by judge alone without a jury; he has a right to apply for a sentencing indication, if he pleads guilty, where the court will give him an indication of the worst sentence he is facing, and he explained to him that the sentence cannot be increased, however it can go down or stays the same.

He also has the right to enter into a plea bargain; and that means, the Prosecutor will offer him certain things: for example, he can plea to a lesser charge; but the judge reminded him that he is only to enter a guilty plea if he is indeed guilty.

Elrington, who is celebrating his 44th birthday tomorrow, June 3, entered a plea of not guilty to rape.

He was read the indictment at 9:12 a.m.

Allegations are that on January 12, 2024, he raped a female who was in her mid-20’s.

Justice Pilgrim concluded in his explanation of the law, that anything he says in the proceedings cannot be used against him.

Justice Pilgrim has ordered that both sides file their CMC (Case Management Conference) forms on or before June 27, 2025; and that the CMC will commence on July 1, 2025.

Elrington, who is out on bail granted to him by the Lower Court in 2024, saw his bail further extended to July 1.

Elrington is being represented by his father, Senior Counsel, Hubert Elrington; while the Crown is represented by the DPP herself, Cheryl Lynn-Vidal.

After Elrington was indicted, Justice Pilgrim informed the media that, as is protocol in any alleged sex case, we are to ensure that the identity of the victim remains anonymous.