BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Jan. 30. 2020– A sentence of 15 years was imposed today on Gilberto Chanek by Justice Colin Williams for a case in which Chanek was charged with murder but had pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

The case was for the death of Carlitos Valdez, 50, who was killed about 7:40 p.m. on August 3, 2018, in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. Valdez, a painter originally from Benque Viejo Del Carmen, was stabbed 8 times in his body with a knife 8 inches long while he was in his room.

There was no evidence to indicate what prompted the attack by Chanek. It became a case of diminished responsibility, however, because Chanek was examined by a psychiatrist who diagnosed him as suffering from a mental disorder. In addition, it was concluded that substance abuse also played a role in the matter.

As a result, Justice Williams directed that Chanek attend a drug rehabilitation program while he is in prison, and mandated that he be fully included in any psychiatric program in prison.

Chanek pleaded guilty to manslaughter on December 11, 2019. Because of the plea, Justice Williams subtracted a third of his sentence, which left a remaining 10 years for him to serve. He also deducted from Chanek’s sentence the time he had spent on remand, leaving 8 and a half years as the time Chanek would serve.

Before he decided on the sentence, Justice Williams heard two impact assessment statements from Valdez’s family members that were read by Crown Counsel Riis Cattouse.

Justice Williams also took into consideration the mitigating factors, which were that Chanek had no previous conviction and that no reason had been advanced for his action.

Chanek was represented by attorney Simeon Sampson.

Feature photo: Gilberto Chanek