4 days ago
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While Hannah Foreman and Edwin Bethran Jr. made their first court appearance today, police say evidence gathered during the investigation supports the decision to charge both individuals jointly for the murder of Dr. Naun Ulices Bonilla. During this afternoon’s police press briefing, Police Staff Officer, Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith, explained that investigators relied on the legal doctrine of joint enterprise when laying the charges. Smith noted that while evidence may place different individuals in different roles, all parties who are found to have participated in the planning, facilitation, or execution of a crime can be held equally responsible under the law. ASP Smith also spoke of the motives being explored.
Reporter: Was the lawsuit between the two of them, was that the motive for this murder ?
Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “I think that is one of the clearest indications. I know on the first time I would have briefed on the matter I stated that there were two motives that we were following on none of which suggested Dr. Bonillas involvement in any criminal activity. That is certainly the aspect that this investigation is disclosing namely a dispute over business situation gone awry. What I will say without getting into too much specifics because as you are aware it’s a matter that is before the court is that the charge follows the principle of joint enterprise which pretty much states that when two persons plan or commit an offense together they can be liable for the independent conduct of each other. So even where a person may not have pulled the trigger that caused the demise of the other person that person can still be liable for murder because there was some indication of their involvement in the planning of the act and that is the extent to which I will discuss. I am not aware of any relationship beyond the investigation as I stated on the principle of joint enterprise. It is still an ongoing investigation. What I will say is that this investigation was a very intense one as with all our investigations however on this occasion we were able to leverage a lot of the tools that have been implemented with the transitioning of the department into a more technologically sound department. We relied heavily on the public safety monitoring unit and the camera system that they have there. We also relied heavily on digital forensics unit of the Belize Police Department’s Cybercrime Unit. Similarly great assistance came from the Financial Intelligence Unit and certainly the diligence of the police officers who spent extraordinary amount of time the investigators going through a number of footage which helped to paint a picture and take us to where we are now.”
Smith also addressed questions surrounding surveillance footage that has been widely discussed since the arrests were announced. According to the senior officer, video evidence reviewed by investigators appears to show only one individual physically present at the scene when the fatal shooting occurred. However, she emphasized that the footage forms only one part of a much broader investigation. Smith explained that detectives considered additional evidence, including witness statements, forensic findings, and other investigative leads, which ultimately pointed to what police believe was a coordinated criminal act involving more than one person.
Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “There is this discussion, and I know I’m getting a little more deeper than I initially intended to but I am doing this for a purpose that persons who have gone on and acquired education and acquired a level of comfort and professional thrive, thriving professionally resorting to the those in teh vulnerable communities to be tools for them is very disheartening and for me it is an indication of the moral degradation and the fact that education alone does not secure morality. And I will also say that the information that we have disclosed is the extent to which we wish to disclose. On the initial occasion I stated that it was a sole male person that exited a vehicle and fired several shots so certainly there is not an indication that another person was physically on the scene. But based on the principle that I had shared that is why we have reached where we are now as it relates to the charge. The principle of joint enterprise takes into account not only the person who pulled the trigger but also the person who played a key role in the planning and the eventual commission of the incident. I alluded to earlier as well digital forensics played a huge role. The Financial Intelligence Unit which is that quasi governmental agency that deals with financial transactions in relation to illicit activities so take from that what you may and as well as the very good ground work of the police officers in terms of reviewing video footage and making linkages.”
Reporter: Did Ms. Foreman pay Mr. Beltran to kill Dr. Bonilla ?
Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “The extent that I’ve disclosed is the extent that I will disclose as you are aware it is a matter that is before the court and that will be ventilated there. We are confident in the case that we have put together and we believe that we will be retrieving more information that will be advancing that.”
During her remarks, Smith also acknowledged that one of the accused, Edwin Bethran Jr., is known to law enforcement and has a criminal history. ASP Smith also praised the efforts of the investigators assigned to the case, noting that significant progress was made within days of the fatal shooting.
Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “I want to take this opportunity to thank those investigators who from the moment the incident happened have worked relentlessly and also want to thank those agencies that we have partnered with as it relates to bringing this matter to at least the arrest phase and to what I believe would be a first of it’s kind conviction. I know I cannot recall any within my timeframe where by we have had persons who were not physically on the scene or plaid an accessory role in an incident being arrested for murder. I can’t recall in my time and when I spoke to ACP Romero he said he cannot recall in his time as well so it is a first of it’s kind and its s for that reason we are moving very intently and scrupulously because we do not want to prejudice this case. It’s a very heart-wrenching and tragic loss. Every loss is significant and important however Dr. Bonilla by all indication was a person who devoted his very short life to saving lives of others and impacting the community with which he served. I believe he was known to police. He’s know to police not to the extent of this level of involvement but I received indication that they were aware of him and some activity in the area with which he resided to the Sand Hill Village.”
Police say the investigation remains active and have not ruled out the possibility of additional arrests or charges.
English (US) ·