William “Danny” Mason, Ryan Rhaburn are re-indicted on kidnapping and blackmail charges

Published by BBNTEAM at September 19, 2024

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Posted: Thursday, September 19, 2024. 2:25 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: To their surprise, William “Danny” Mason and Ryan Rhaburn will be retried on kidnapping and blackmail charges.

According to Mason, previously convicted of murder, he was not aware of a retrial order in his case. He thought that a letter was sent to the Chief Justice regarding how the matter would proceed.

But Mason learned today that his case had been transferred from Belmopan to Belize City and a retrial will occur.

Mason and Rhaburn were indicted at the High Court this morning before Justice Nigel Pilgrim on 2 counts each of kidnapping while Mason was read a separate charge of blackmail.

Mason and Rhaburn both pleaded not guilty, but Mason was unrepresented in court today as his attorney, Senior Counsel Hubert Elrington, is ill and in recovery and so it is possible that Mason will have to seek a new attorney.

So he asked for 30 days to prepare himself, while Senior Counsel Simeon Sampson represented Ryan Rhaburn.

The case has been adjourned for October 17, where Justice Pilgrim has ordered that Mason be provided with case management conference documents and that all parties must file their case management forms on or before October 11.

A mistrial was declared in the first hearing of the case due to unfavorable press coverage that impacted a juror on the case.

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