BELIZE CITY, Wed. Jan. 29, 2020– A jury of 6 women and 3 men deliberated today for a little over two hours in the court of Madam Justice Marilyn Williams and reached a verdict of guilty regarding Aspinal Welch, 29, a paraplegic who is charged with use of deadly means of harm with intent to commit grievous harm.
The jury’s verdict was not unanimous. It was in the proportion of 7 to 2. Welch was remanded to prison and will be sentenced on February 19.
At the trial, which began last week, the complainant, Nelson Fitzgerald Young, testified that at about 2:00 p.m. on November 21, 2012, he was at Dits Restaurant on King Street, having lunch with some friends, when he was accosted by the accused.
He said he had just finished eating and was about to leave when the accused pointed a revolver at his head from about 8 to 10 feet away.
Young said that as the accused narrowed the distance between them and was within an arm’s length of him, he, Young, pushed the gun aside and elbowed the accused twice in the chest.
Young said he then ran and took cover behind a wall in the restaurant that was about 4 feet wide. He said that he then took out his licensed firearm. He said that when he peeped to see where the accused was, the accused fired two shots at him, but those shots missed him.
Young said he then went to the other side behind the wall and was able to see the feet of the accused and he fired one shot that missed.
Undeterred by the return of gunfire, the accused, said Young then fired three more shots at him that missed.
Young testified that he then realized that the accused was out of ammunition, so he came from behind the wall and commanded the accused, at gunpoint, to lie down on the floor.
The police then came and detained Welch, who also gave a statement from the dock, in which he admitted that he was at the restaurant, but said he had gone there to buy a piece of cake for his mother.
Welch said that he was not Young’s assailant, and that the gunman was another person whom he has known for some time.
Last Thursday, the court conducted a locus in which they visited the scene of the crime.
Welch is not being represented by any attorney. Senior Crown Counsel Sheneiza Smith is representing the Crown.
Three years ago, Welch lost the use of his legs when he was shot in the back.
Feature photo: Aspinal Welch