The family of mental patient Egbert Gordon, Jr., 29, shot to death by police, is suing the Commissioner of Police, Gerald Westby, who failed to comply with the directive of the Director of Public Prosecution, Kirk Anderson, who on November 10, 2006, gave an order for him to arrest and charge Police Constable Jesus Marroquin, 23, with the shooting death of Egbert Gordon, Jr.
At around 3:00 p.m. on September 27, 2005, Marroquin shot and killed the Lords Bank resident, Egbert Gordon, Jr., at #37 Los Lagos, Ladyville.
Police alleged that Gordon, who had locked himself in the house at #37 Los Lagos, tried to attack them with a “shiny weapon.” They shot him in the face in self-defense, they said.
Since Gordon’s death his family has been crying out for justice. Gordon, they say, was known to be mentally challenged, and police should not have dealt so roughly with him. The shooter was never charged by police, not even after a year of public outcry.
Even after the DPP issued instructions to police to charge Marroquin, the police ignored the directive.
Gordon’s family was determined, however, that his death would not be swept under the rug, and hired an attorney to approach the Supreme Court with the matter. The family’s attorney, Antoinette Moore, a human rights activist, informed the media today that she will be seeking permission from the Supreme Court to apply for judicial review of the Commissioner of Police’s refusal to comply with the DPP’s directive to arrest and charge the constable who killed Gordon.
She said she plans to ask the court to intervene and make sure Westby finally abides by the DPP’s order.
This evening at 5:06 p.m., however, police issued a brief report that said, “The Belize Police Department today filed charges against one of its own… Constable #1010 Jesus Marroquin has been officially charged with murder…”
The press release concluded by saying that “Marroquin is expected to be formally charged in court, tomorrow…”
At press time tonight, however, the court hearing is still scheduled for tomorrow.
Westby told us that he could not answer any questions regarding the case, apart from saying that the officer was charged today. He told Amandala that, “As far as I know, the officer was arrested today and he will be taken to court tomorrow…”
Refusing to comment any further on the matter, ComPol Westby said that, “We need to speak with the Solicitor General’s office, because they are the ones who will be representing the police department in court tomorrow.”