The trial judge, Justice John ?Troadio? Gonzalez, told Chi, who was not represented by an attorney, that the offence was a serious one which carried a minimum sentence of 12 years, and the sentence could extend to life imprisonment. He advised Chi to make a plea for mitigation so that mercy could be shown to him. He explained to Chi that he could call character witnesses who could testify on his behalf. Chi agreed to make a plea for mitigation, and Justice Gonzalez deferred sentencing until Friday, December, 17, in order to give Chi time to prepare his plea. The incident occurred on August 16, 2002, at the home of the complainant?s sister, located in Belmopan. The complainant, who is originally from Punta Gorda, was staying at the house attending primary school. The complainant testified that Chi, who stayed at the house from time to time and slept overnight sometimes, was in her room and he was in the room of her sister, who was taking a shower. She said Chi called her to the room and asked her to see if her sister was still bathing. She went and checked. When she returned, she told Chi yes, and he grabbed her, pulled her into the bedroom, threw her on the bed and had sex with her. She testified that she smelled alcohol on Chi?s breath. The girl reported the incident to her mother, who resides in Punta Gorda. The mother took her daughter to three doctors before it was confirmed that her hymen was broken. The incident was reported to the police, and Chi was charged. Chi gave a statement from the dock, in which he admitted that he was at the house at the time of the incident, but denied that he committed the offense. He claimed that the girl was lying and that her motive was because he several times had refused to lend her his cellular phone to call her ?babes.? The prosecution was represented by Crown Counsel Kamar Henry. The trial began on Tuesday, December 7.
