Miguelito Encalada Gets Two Life Sentences for Killing Wife and Brother

Miguelito Encalada has been sentenced to two concurrent life terms for the murders of his wife, Desiree Elizabeth Gonzalez, and his younger brother, George Vincent Rochester.

Justice Candace Nanton ruled that Encalada must serve a minimum of 40 years before becoming eligible for parole. The sentences were backdated to April 24, 2023, the date he was remanded to the Belize Central Prison.  Encalada was convicted on May 22 of two counts of murder in connection with the fatal shootings, which occurred on April 20, 2023, at a home and restaurant on Scissortail Street in the New Site area of Ladyville.  In determining the sentence, Justice Nanton began with a minimum term of 42 years. She described the case as falling at the upper end of the scale, pointing to several aggravating factors: a firearm was used; two people were killed at close range; the victims were Encalada’s close relatives; and the attack occurred at the home and business of one of the victims.  The judge said the sentence must reflect the gravity of the crimes, protect the public and deter others. She determined that neither a fixed prison term nor the death penalty was appropriate, finding instead that life imprisonment with the possibility of eventual parole was warranted. The court also found that Encalada was capable of rehabilitation.  Justice Nanton reduced the minimum term by two years after considering mitigating factors, including Encalada’s positive prison record, his completion of two rehabilitation programmes and the absence of disciplinary infractions during approximately three years on remand. The court also considered a social inquiry report describing his previous work mentoring young men in Ladyville, as well as statements about his role as a father. A psychiatric assessment reportedly found that he had no major mental illness and was physically fit.  Before he was sentenced, Encalada offered condolences to both families but continued to maintain his innocence. He told the court that the person responsible remains at large and insisted that he was neither involved in the killings nor the shooter.  During the trial, Encalada claimed that armed men entered his establishment, forced him to the ground and later escaped with approximately eight thousand dollars. He said he subsequently discovered Gonzalez and Rochester lying on the floor. The prosecution’s case, however, satisfied the court beyond a reasonable doubt that Encalada was responsible for both murders.  Encalada was represented by attorney Hurl Hamilton, while Crown Counsel Glenfield Dennison appeared on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions.