Belizean-American Sentenced to 12 Years for Cemetery Stabbing

Belizean-American Mark Anthony Stevens has been sentenced to twelve years in prison after pleading guilty to the attempted murder of Juan Carlos Rios Pineda.  The stabbing happened on Saturday night, June 8, 2024, inside the Lord Ridge Cemetery. The court heard that during the attack, Stevens was seen stabbing Pineda while telling him, “I am going to kill you. I hope you die.”  Stevens entered his guilty plea last Friday, July 3, and was sentenced yesterday by Justice Pilgrim. His twelve-year sentence was backdated to June 2024.  During mitigation, the court also heard a victim impact statement from Pineda, who said he continues to suffer physically, emotionally and financially from the attack. He recalled running for his life and said Stevens stood over him, stabbing him “like a crazy man.” Pineda told the court that he still has flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, and often looks over his shoulder.  Stevens was represented by attorney Norman Rodriguez.