Photo: Gabriel Villafranco
by Roy Davis (freelance reporter)
Belize City, Thurs. Apr. 20, 2023
Gabriel Villafranco, 36, a resident of Corozal charged with the murder of Jerry Espat, 25, was offered a bail of $50,000 today by Justice Ricardo Sandcroft who stipulated that he can meet bail with 1 to 4 sureties.
The bail was granted on the condition that Villafranco doesn’t go back to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye; that he surrenders his passport and other travel documents to the court; that he reports to Corozal Police Station from Sunday to Sunday; that he participates in a curfew from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.; and that he does not make contact with anyone involved with the case.
The incident occurred on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Cangrego Caye, located south of Ambergris Caye. Espat was shot and killed while he was fishing for conch. His body was found the following day with bullet wounds to his back. His brothers, Luis Enrique Santoya, 29, Ricardo Anthony Espat, 25, and Kirian Espat, 28, were also attacked by gunmen, but they managed to escape with minor injuries.
Villafranco was represented by Senior Counsel Simeon Sampson. Crown Counsel was Robert Lord.