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One man convicted for hospital attack; hung jury for the other

GeneralOne man convicted for hospital attack; hung jury for the other

BELIZE CITY, Mon. Feb. 3, 2020– A jury of 5 women and 4 men deliberated for over 4 hours today in the court of Justice Colin Williams before it found John Burke, 35, guilty of dangerous harm. The jury’s verdict was unanimous.

But in the case of Burke’s co-accused, Kareem Eagan, 37, the jury was unable to reach a verdict. Justice Williams deferred sentencing for Burke until Thursday, February 13.

Regarding Eagan, he said that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) would decide what to do, in his case.

The incident, for which the men were charged, occurred between 8:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on August 1, 2016, at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. The complainant, Mario Zelaya, testified that he was walking from the emergency section and was going into the corridor of the main entrance when he was attacked by Burke and Eagan.

He said Burke punched him in his face and when he fell to the floor both men began to kick him. Two eyewitnesses testified and corroborated Zelaya’s testimony.

The witnesses also said that while Zelaya was lying on the ground apparently unconscious, Burke jumped on his back and stomped him several times.

Through most of the trial, Burke remained silent, and he only asked the witnesses a few questions. Eagan did not ask the witnesses any questions.

After the Crown closed its case and it was time for Burke and Eagan to defend themselves, they chose to remain silent. Burke and Eagan were not represented by any attorney, while the Crown was represented by Crown Counsel Portia Ferguson.

Feature photo: John Burke

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