Belize City, Thurs. Sept. 9, 2021– Last Thursday, Jovannie O’Brien was arrested and charged in connection with the shooting of Lloyd Myvett, 18, and his 9-year-old neighbor, Jamir McKoy, in front of a food shop owned by McKoy’s mother in Unitedville, Cayo. At the time of O’Brien’s arrest, the Police Department had searched his residence, and had found two live rounds of ammunition.

Since ammunition was found on the premises, all occupants of the home had been apprehended. This included O’Brien’s wife, Bettina O’Brien, a Swiss national. On Tuesday, September 7, Jovannie had appeared before the Supreme Court for a bail hearing. He was denied bail due to the nature of the charges against him. His wife, too, had appeared before the court, but unlike her husband, she was granted bail.

Previously, when they had appeared in the Magistrate Court, both of them had been denied bail. At the time, their attorney, Richard “Dickie” Bradley, had accused the police of exaggerating the the charges brought against his clients. Bradley claimed this is a common maneuver used by authorities to keep suspects detained as the department develops a more substantial case against them. He further denounced the Magistrate’s Court ruling, which he said reflected lack of consideration for Mrs. O’Brien, who he noted is the mother of twin toddlers.

In the Supreme Court, however, Justice Francis Cumberbatch granted Bettina O’Brien bail, provided that she does not leave the country without the permission of the court and that she reports to the San Ignacio Police Station weekly.