Despite criminal charges, Joseph Budna continues to speak out; Commissioner clams up on abetment case

Published by BBNTEAM at August 9, 2024

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Posted: Friday, August 9, 2024. 5:51 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: While under an order from the courts not to speak about his current case of abetment to murder, for which he is out on bail, Joseph Budna is free to talk about just about anything else.

And he took advantage earlier this week, complaining to news reporters that Central Prison authorities took a photograph of him in his cell, ostensibly to show that he was alive and under observation following his earlier claims that he was being targeted by police and they would be to blame if he was harmed or killed. Apparently, that photograph was subsequently shared on social media without Budna’s consent.

While Budna still fears for his life, he says he is prepared through his social media appearances to talk about major issues and give his life for Belize to that end.

None of Budna’s bluster has impressed Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, who insists that the case against him is well-supported.

But on Tuesday, it was Williams who was caught off guard when a reporter probed for the name of the man accused of killing Armando Coy Cacao, who was then himself killed in Honduras, and for the motive behind Coy’s death.

The Commissioner refused to state either and issued a forceful denial when it was suggested that his reticence led to Budna’s claims of being set up: “I don’t know how you get there. Honestly, I don’t…I said just because I don’t want to answer something means I’m being evasive?… Why would I want to trump up charges against Budna? For what? …How many people have not been outspoken against me, against the government? Do you see the police go after them? No.”

Budna returns to court in November.

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