Anthony Bartley, also known as “Jah Cool”, a popular horse jockey from Orange Walk Town, was reportedly chopped to death at his home by relatives due to a misunderstanding that had taken place shortly before, near the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk Town

by Charles Gladden

ORANGE WALK, Tues. June 27, 2023

The nephews of Anthony Deras Bartley, 47, also known as “Jah Cool” or “Coolie man”, a popular horse jockey of Orange Walk Town, have been charged with murder after allegedly chopping their uncle to death at his home following a confrontation earlier in the day, during which they had inflicted initial wounds to him behind the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk Town prior to the eventual homicide.

Initial reports are indicating that late on Monday evening, June 26, Bartley had been at the People’s Stadium when he got into a disagreement with two of his nephews, who during the argument chopped him on his back, over his eyes, and on his hand. He was then taken to the Northern Regional Hospital to receive treatment for his injuries, but discharged himself and returned to his home on San Narciso Street, a stone’s throw from where the incident occurred.

At that point, according to reports, he was still fuming over what had happened, and although his common-law wife tried to defuse the situation, Bartley armed himself with his machete and confronted one of his nephews, who also retrieved a machete and a knife to attack his uncle.

Bartley then allegedly made the first aggressive move by hacking at the steps of the veranda of the elevated wooden home, on which his nephew was standing. His nephew then leapt toward Bartley and proceeded to chop him on his leg. On seeing the altercation, Bartley’s other nephew came and assisted his brother in assaulting Bartley by inflicting multiple chop and stab wounds on him, which resulted in his death.

After being severely injured, Bartley, who had been bleeding profusely prior to passing away, uttered his final words, which were, “I wahn dead,” then he collapsed to the ground. When police arrived at the scene, both Bartley’s nephews reportedly fled the scene.

Bartley had been employed at the Orange Walk Town Council for many years, and Omar Mendez, Operations Manager at the Orange Walk Town Council, spoke highly of him to local reporters.

“Anthony was a key worker whenever we do manual paving. He’s one of our strongest guys; call him ‘the fyah man’ because he takes care of making sure the tar is hot enough, and he knows when it is able to be used,” said Mendez.

Mendez went on to state, “This morning when I got to work, everybody was with sad faces, so I had to enlighten them; and, yes, it hurt, but life must continue regardless. As I mentioned, we’re going to miss him a lot, because he was a very handy man.”

Mayor of Orange Walk Town, Ladrick Sheppard also made mention of Bartley’s skills in the sport of horse racing.

“I’ve seen Jah Cool riding horse from a young age, and he was the best. We gave him an award for being one of the oldest jockeys … he was one of those guys that mentored these jockeys to where they are now. It’s a huge loss,” he said.

Bartley leaves behind his common-law wife along with three children – ages 7, 10, and 16 years old, who witnessed the death of their father.

Bartley’s two nephews — Myron Iverson Betancourt, 19, a Belizean maintenance worker, and a minor, 17, a Belizean laborer, both of San Narciso Alley, Orange Walk Town, were jointly charged with murder for the death of their uncle.