Caye Caulker Contractor Remanded on Murder Charge in Fatal Beating Case

A Caye Caulker contractor has been remanded to prison after being formally charged with the murder of a construction worker who police say was fatally beaten during an altercation on the island last weekend.  Forty-two-year-old Samuel Yam appeared unrepresented before a Senior Magistrate in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court this morning, where he was arraigned on a single charge of murder in connection with the death of 45-year-old Oscar Genaro Flota, a construction worker of Northside, Caye Caulker.  Due to the nature of the offense, no plea was taken. Yam was denied bail and remanded to the Belize Central Prison until September 14.  Police allege that on the night of Saturday, June 13, Flota was socializing and consuming alcohol at Yam’s residence when an altercation broke out. Initial investigations indicate that several individuals became involved in the dispute after arriving at the location.  According to investigators, Flota was allegedly knocked to the ground and assaulted by a group of men. Police further allege that while the victim was on the ground, Yam retrieved a shovel from his yard and struck Flota multiple times to the head.  Authorities were alerted shortly after 8:30 that evening and responded to reports that a man had been severely beaten in front of a residence on the island. Police say the victim’s body bore multiple wounds to the head. Investigators also reportedly recovered a shovel believed to be connected to the incident.