Rape trial of Giovanni Burns comes to a close, verdict to be handed down in July

Published by BBNTEAM at June 24, 2023

Posted: Saturday, June 24, 2023. 8:22 pm CST.

By Breaking Belize News Staff: The trial of Giovanni Burns, who was charged with the February 2019 rape of a 24-year-old woman, came to an end in the High Court of Belize this week, but the verdict is still pending.

Burns’s trial-without-jury before Justice Nigel Pilgrim began on Wednesday and concluded on Friday. The alleged victim gave testimony in camera (in the Judge’s chambers) recounting the event including how she was dragged into a secluded area and forced to perform oral sex on her attacker. The woman said she managed to escape before her attacker could cause her further harm.

In his defense, Burns merely said that he and the woman were in a relationship. He also called a witness in his defense, who testified that she saw Burns and the alleged victim together.

Justice Pilgrim will deliver his verdict on July 6.

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