Institute of Archaeology settles with Rupert Myles, awaits Noh Mul ruling

Posted: Friday, April 1, 2016. 12:06 p.m. CST

By Aaron Humes: On Wednesday the defendants known as the Santa Cruz 13 returned to the Punta Gorda Magistrate’s Court.

The group was initially accused of unlawful detention and assault on Rupert Myles in the Maya village last year. They contend that they were trying to prevent further damage to the Uxbenka Maya ruin on which Myles was building a gateway to his residence in the village.

While the case was adjourned Wednesday where charges were withdrawn from two defendants for lack of evidence, we have learned that Myles no longer faces criminal charges of his own for damaging the ruin.

Director of the Institute of Archaeology Dr. John Morris told us that they have reached an amicable solution with Myles, resulting in his voluntarily vacating the premises. He now lives in Bella Vista.

Dr. Morris explained that the house in which Myles was living and working on, was actually built by his father-in-law.

He added that the Institute is pursuing similar solutions for similar incidents around the country. The Santa Cruz defendants return to court on May 9.

Meanwhile, the case of Denny Grijalva and Demar’s Stone Company, accused of destruction of parts of the Noh Mul monument in Orange Walk as they sought landfill for roads in the district, is at an end – almost.

According to the Institute of Archaeology’s Dr. John Morris, the court case awaits a ruling from the Magistrate. No date has been set for that ruling.

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