Belize City Man Gets 18 Years for Murder Caught on Camera

A Belize City man has been sentenced to life in prison for a murder that was captured on video. Jason McKenzie, who pleaded guilty to murder in February, was sentenced yesterday by High Court Judge Derick Sylvester. The judge imposed a life sentence with a starting point of 20 years. After a significant discount for his early guilty plea and time already served, McKenzie will serve 18 years and 2 months in prison. McKenzie was charged with the murder of James Dorian Escarpeta, which occurred on West Street in Belize City on July 26, 2023. Video footage showed a man shooting Escarpeta and then looking back at the camera, which led to McKenzie’s identification and arrest.