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Henry Jacobs, 31, convicted of murder

HeadlineHenry Jacobs, 31, convicted of murder

His sentencing is set for May 22

BELIZE CITY, Thurs. May 9, 2019– Today, after she heard pleas for mitigation for Henry Jacobs, 31, who was convicted of the murder of Brian Welch, 49, Madam Justice Marilyn Williams set May 22 as the date for sentencing.

Welch was shot and killed on April 29, 2012, on Central American Boulevard. Two character witnesses, including Jacobs’ attorney, Senior Counsel Hubert Elrington, spoke on his behalf. The witnesses said they have known Jacobs since he was a baby and that he grew up around them. They said they know him to be a quiet person, a respectful and humble individual, and they were shocked when he got into trouble with the law.

They added that they never knew Jacobs to be a person involved in gang activity. They asked for the court to exercise its leniency. Elrington said that Jacobs asked him to speak on his behalf. Elrington said that Jacobs has conveyed to him that he is sorry for the loss of life he caused and that he accepts the finding of the court.

Jacobs was convicted of murder on July 20, 2018, in a trial that was without a jury. The Crown, represented by Crown Counsel Sheringe Rodriguez, relied mainly on the testimony of a police officer who said he saw Jacobs and some other men involved in a dispute with Welch.

The officer said Jacobs left on a motorcycle and he returned shortly afterwards. Then he heard the sound of gunshots. Welch was shot in his mouth, chest and abdomen. He ran into a yard and he collapsed under a coconut tree, where he died shortly afterwards.

In his defense, Jacobs gave an alibi statement in which he said that he was nowhere near the scene and that at the time of the incident, he was at a farm at Mile 8 on the George Price Highway.

He called a witness who testified and supported his alibi statement. But after careful consideration, Justice Williams rejected the testimony of the witness and found him guilty.

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