Interdicted police officer convicted of damage to property says he will appeal

Published by BBNTEAM at February 7, 2023

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Posted: Tuesday, February 7, 2023. 9:51 pm CST.

By Breaking Belize News Staff: A police officer charged with damaging a glass door at the Immigration Department office in Belize City was convicted of damage to property today in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court.

Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser found 33-year-old James Usher guilty after considering the prosecution’s evidence and determining that the standard of proof was met. The Chief Magistrate said that in her view of the evidence Usher had behaved recklessly.

Usher, who recused his attorney Ian Grey moments before the case convened said in mitigation that he intends to appeal the matter and ask for a stay of execution. When asked by the Chief Magistrate what he wanted the court to consider, he noted that the act was committed in the commission of his duties as a police officer. He also asked the court to consider the fact that he had no previous convictions.

Usher was fined $600 plus $5 cost of court which he must pay by April 30, and must also pay the sum of $466.88 (the value of the door) to the Immigration Department.

The incident happened back in June 2020. Eyewitnesses testified that Usher tried to open the door at the Immigration Department office located at mile 1 1/2 on the Philip Goldson Highway, and began shaking the door when it wouldn’t open, causing it to shatter. He was represented by a total of three different attorneys at different points in the trial, but the first two recused themselves.

Usher has 21 days to file an appeal.

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