Trial Begins for Cops Accused in Death of Andrew McDougal

The courtroom in Dangriga is where one family chose to call for justice for their deceased loved-one. This week, the long-awaited trial of three police officers accused in the death of 25-year-old Andrew McDougal officially got underway. McDougall, a Santa Cruz Village resident, died in January 2023 after a violent encounter with police in southern Belize. The incident had sparked public outrage and led to many calling for a need for police reform. Love News spoke to his mother and has the latest developments. Reporter Vejea Alvarez tells us more. 

Vejea Alvarez, Love News: The trial of the three officers charged in connection with the death of 25-year-old Andrew McDougall kicked off this week in the Dangriga Supreme Court before Justice Antoinette Moore. Officers John Lucas, Jameel Lewis, and Tessa Stewart faced charges stemming from a December 2022 incident in which McDougall was allegedly beaten by police officers after being caught smoking marijuana in public. A video clip of the incident captured McDougall being body slammed into the back of a police mobile before being carted off to the Independence Police Station. McDougall, a resident of Santa Cruz Village, suffered from hemophilia, a genetic disorder that impairs blood clotting. Due to his condition, he was unable to recover from the injuries sustained during the altercation. 18 days later, McDougall passed away at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. A post-mortem examination confirmed that his death resulted from the blunt force trauma inflicted during the police abuse.

Desiree McDougall, Mother of Deceased: “I saw the injury on this back, his leg, on his face, on his hand and he had a cut on his hand. When I saw him at eh police station he was handcuffed with bleeding on his finger.”

Reporter: Did he talk to you and tell you what happened ? 

Desiree McDougall, Mother of Deceased: “Yes he did talk to me and told me what happened.”

Reporter: What did he say ? 

Desiree McDougall, Mother of Deceased: “He said they just beat him for no reason at all and it’s just for smoking a little weed, that’s all the beat him up for.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love News: Lucas and Lewis were charged with manslaughter, while Stuart was charged with perverting the course of justice. Then-commissioner of Police Chester Williams had acknowledged that the officers used excessive force, but claimed McDougall was resisting arrest.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police at the time: “When you resist the police arrest, you put the police in a position where they will have to use force to arrest you. Now, I’m not going to say that the amount of force the officers use is justified, because certainly from my perspective the force may not be justified. But I’m going to leave that to the investigators.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love News: However, McDougall’s mother, Desiree, rejected this narrative. She emphasized that her son had informed the police of his hemophilia and was subsequently denied medical care.

Desiree McDougall, Mother of Deceased: “ I don’t see why they will charge him for that because he was not resisting arrest. Those police officers just beat up my son for no reason at all just for a little piece of weed. Then they asked him where the drugs are so he told them he said that he’s a fisherman so they told him where the drugs are, where did you put the drugs, that is what they told him and they beat up my son. So that’s unjust. Those police officers need to get disciplined.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love News: Today, Desiree McDougall took the stand, recounting the devastating loss of her son. Outside the courtroom, an emotional mother reiterated the family’s call for justice, highlighting the need for accountability in cases of police misconduct.

Desiree McDougall, Mother of Deceased: “All I’m asking is for justice for my son. You know, they have a lot of parents out there with that police chance, you know, and I think we need as parents to stand up and stop letting those police chance our kids, you know. All I need is justice, that’s what I want. My family needs justice for my son.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love News: Lewis is being represented by Attorney Hurl Hamilton while Stewart and Lucas are being represented by Attorney Audrey Matura. The matter is being prosecuted by prosecutor Javier Chan. Vejea Alvarez, Love News.