Attempted Murder Case Dropped After Complainant Fails to Appear in High Court

Twenty-seven-year-old Belize City resident Delroy Staine is a free man after the prosecution discontinued the case against him during a High Court appearance today. Staine appeared before Candace Nanton in the High Court, where the Crown, represented by Joseph Perez from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), entered a nolle prosequi, effectively ending the case against him. The decision was made after the virtual complainant failed to appear in court, leaving the prosecution unable to proceed with the trial. Staine had been on remand at the Belize Central Prison after being charged with attempted murder. He was accused of shooting Christian Molina in an incident that allegedly occurred on March 31, 2024, Easter Sunday.  Staine was initially arraigned on the charge on May 5, 2024, at the age of 25, and was remanded to the Belize Central Prison pending trial. With the case now discontinued, he has been released from custody.