Man Accused of Threatening Mother with Knife Released After Charge Withdrawn

A 27-year-old Belize City fisherman who was initially remanded to prison for allegedly threatening his own mother with a knife on New Year’s Day is now a free man after the virtual complainant requested that the matter go no further.  Luis Pinto, of North Creek, Belize City, was arraigned earlier today in the Magistrate’s Court on a single charge of threat of death. At that initial hearing, bail was denied and Pinto was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until February 23.  The charge stemmed from an incident on New Year’s Day when Pinto was accused of brandishing a six-inch kitchen knife at his mother during breakfast at their North Creek home and threatening to kill her. Prosecutors objected to bail after it was revealed that Pinto lived at the same address as the virtual complainant, raising concerns for her safety. The sitting magistrate agreed, citing the risk of further family violence.  However, shortly after Pinto was remanded, his mother appeared in court and asked that the charge be withdrawn. Taking the stand, she told the court that her son is schizophrenic, is back on his medication, and that she did not wish for any further court action against him.  During his arraignment, Pinto pleaded not guilty and denied making any threats, insisting that he never uttered the words alleged by his mother. He also appeared confused by the court’s decision to deny bail, prompting the magistrate to explain that the allegation involved violence against his own mother.  Police facts allege that after the knife was produced, the mother fled to a bedroom with her common-law husband, locking the door as Pinto allegedly struck it with the knife while issuing threats. Pinto has denied those allegations, claiming the words were fabricated.  In light of the mother’s request, the charge was formally withdrawn, and Pinto was released from custody.