Bladen 12 Trial Extended: Defense Attorney Highlights Importance of Voir Dire Testimonies

Defense attorney Leroy Banner, says that the trial for the Bladen 12, the men accused of facilitating a narco plane landing in southern Belize, is taking longer than originally planned. The trial continued today before Senior Magistrate Baja Shoman but remains in voir dire (a trial within a trial). The original projection for the completion of the trial was eleven days; however, the substantive matter cannot be heard until the completion of the voir dire, which is being held to contest the caution statements given to police by two of the accused. Banner spoke generally about the importance of the testimonies given in the voir dire and said that the substantive matter should be concluded in less time.

The accused are charged with two counts of possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply, one count of conspiracy to land a plane at an unlicensed aerodrome, and one count of abetment of the importation of a controlled drug. The case is being heard at the Charles Bartlet Hyde building to accommodate the twelve accused, four defense attorneys, and two prosecutors.