Watchman in 2019 murder of Jose Diaz to be sentenced for his murder in January while alleged shooter walks free from the charge

By Breaking Belize News Staff: Leroy Haulze, found guilty of the murder of businessman Jose Diaz in 2019, will learn his fate during his sentencing hearing to be held in January 2024. Haulze was convicted for his role as the purported lookout during the crime while the alleged shooter, Emerson Garnett, walked free from the charge.

Haulze appeared in court on Wednesday and Justice Nigel Pilgrim heard a mitigation plea on his behalf. Haulze will be sentenced on January 17, 2024. Haulze questioned how he could be found guilty of murder if the alleged shooter was let off from the charge. Justice Pilgrim explained that while there were doubts about the identity of the shooter, the surveillance video from the scene clearly led to Haulze being positively identified as the lookout during the crime.

The court also heard impact statements from Diaz’s son-in-law and stepson, giving their accounts of the aftermath of Diaz’s death.

Diaz was killed at his store on Cemetery Road on July 16, 2019 as he was locking up the store. He was shot to the jaw and died on the spot.

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