Man faces attempted murder charge in non-jury trial
Belize’s first attempted murder trial to be done without a jury present got on the way this week. Ricky Valencia and Akeem Thurton, are being tried for the attempted murder of the prime minister's law partner attorney Rodwell Williams. On May 30, 2010, Williams was shot in the abdomen while he was about to get into his car. After seeking medical treatment abroad, Williams survived the ordeal. Yesterday, Ricky Valencia was represented by Attorney Arthur Saldivar but Akeem Thurton remained unrepresented, saying that he has been having difficulties finding a lawyer to take his case. The trial was then adjourned again as the judge has given Thurton some more time to find a lawyer and set the date for trial to start February 27th. Chief Justice Benjamin told the court that whatever the status of the accused persons are, come February 27, the trial will move forward on that date without any further adjournments.
