From murder allegations to sexual assault charges for Emerson Garnett

Published by [email protected] at April 23, 2025

Posted: Wednesday, April 23, 2025. 8:08 pm CST.

By Breaking Belize News Staff: Emerson Garnett, a 34-year-old resident of Freetown Road, Belize City, who was previously implicated in a 2019 murder case, faced new charges of sexual assault and wounding during his arraignment on Wednesday morning. Garnett appeared unrepresented before Magistrate Black in Belize City Magistrate’s Court #1, having been in police custody since Sunday.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges. The allegations stem from a reported domestic incident on Sunday, April 20, 2025, around 9:00 p.m. The complainant, a 38-year-old woman who previously had a relationship with Garnett, alleges that he grabbed her private parts and physically assaulted her after she refused a hug. She further stated that Garnett threatened to kill her and then himself.

Despite hearing the victim’s account, Garnett maintained his innocence, prompting Magistrate Black to advise him that an explanation was unnecessary at the plea stage. Garnett acknowledged a past relationship with the complainant.

The prosecutor did not object to bail but requested conditions due to the victim being known to the accused. Magistrate Black granted bail to Garnett with several conditions: he is prohibited from contacting or interfering with the complainant, her family, or any prosecution witnesses, directly or indirectly; he must not be within 100 yards of the complainant; and he is required to report to the Queen Street Police Station Precinct 3 every Friday, beginning April 25, 2025, until his case is concluded.

Garnett met his bail conditions and is scheduled to return to court on June 11, 2025. This development comes after Garnett was acquitted in July 2024 in the murder of businessman Jose Hilario Diaz, who was fatally shot in 2019. His co-accused in that case was found guilty.

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