Inspector Christopher Martinez pleads guilty to assaulting detainee with padlock, awaits sentencing

Published by [email protected] at August 30, 2024

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Posted: Friday, August 30, 2024. 9:59 am CST.

By Breaking Belize News Staff: Inspector Christopher Martinez, a police sergeant who pleaded guilty to wounding a businessman in police custody, awaits sentencing but remains free on bail. Martinez, who struck detainee Aaron Flowers with a padlock while he was held at the Ladyville Police Station in 2022, appeared in court on Thursday alongside his attorney, Senior Counsel Simeon Sampson.

Sampson initially sought to have Chief Magistrate Jayani Wegodapola recuse herself from the case but abandoned the application. Martinez, who previously delayed his guilty plea, surprised the court by expressing his desire to plead guilty immediately. He apologized for wasting the court’s time and took responsibility for his actions.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl Lynn-Vidal, voiced concerns about further adjournments without formally recording Martinez’s guilty plea, given his prior hesitations. The facts of the case were read aloud in court, detailing how Martinez entered Flowers’ cell and assaulted him with a padlock. Flowers was later treated at the hospital, and Martinez was charged with wounding.

After accepting the guilty plea, the court scheduled a mitigation hearing for September 13, 2024. Martinez remains free on his previous bail. Outside the courtroom, Flowers expressed disappointment in the outcome, stating that no amount of money could deter him from seeking justice. He urged others to stand up for their rights despite the challenges they may face.

Martinez is facing a possible prison sentence of 1 to 3 years. However, his late guilty plea may affect the sentence reduction typically offered for early pleas.

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