DPP Explains Delay in Charging Attorney Accused of Rape: Emphasizes Need for Additional Evidence

The attorney accused of raping two women has still not been charged, and today the Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl Lynn-Vidal, explained why. Vidal says that the perceived delay was to allow for more evidence to be presented; evidence she says police have been gathering.

Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecution: “I know that the police had reported that they had sent the statements to the DPP. I think at the time what they did not say was that when those statements were sent it was made very clear that other evidence was forthcoming and we have been receiving additional evidence just today I received additional evidence so I cannot make a decision until I have everything before me. It is not the ordinary case where it would have been possible just on the statements that were provided at the outset to make a determination.”

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams and Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa have weighed in on the matter saying that the accusation is serious and that the matter is being handled as such. The attorney is accused of raping the women while they were highly intoxicated after a night of drinking at a Belize City night club on Thursday, January 11.///