High Court Grants Bail to Man Accused in Domestic Assault Case

Attorney Orson “OJ” Elrington mounted a vigorous legal challenge in the High Court on Friday that ultimately secured bail for Mikael Sosa, the Belize City husband accused of assaulting his wife during a domestic dispute.  Sosa was last week initially denied bail and remanded to the Belize Central Prison after being charged in connection with an alleged attack in which he reportedly threatened his wife while armed with a Sig Sauer M17 CO2-powered semi-automatic air pistol.  However, following lengthy arguments before Justice Derick Sylvester on Thursday, February 26, the court granted Sosa bail in the sum of ten thousand dollars with two sureties of five thousand dollars each. The Crown had objected to bail, but after heavy consideration of the submissions from both sides, the judge allowed Sosa’s release under strict conditions.  Under the bail order, Sosa must immediately remove himself from the matrimonial home and reside with his father in Cayo. He is required to report to the San Ignacio Police Station every Wednesday and is strictly prohibited from contacting the virtual complainant or any witnesses in the matter.  Speaking on the matter was Sosa’s attorney, Orson Elrington.

Additionally, Sosa is permitted one police-escorted visit to the family home to retrieve personal belongings. Copies of the bail order are to be served on the virtual complainant and the Officer Commanding the San Ignacio Police Station.  The charges stem from an incident in which Sosa’s wife reported that an argument erupted after she allegedly discovered messages between her husband and another woman. The dispute reportedly escalated into a physical struggle over a laptop. According to the complainant, Sosa punched her in the face and later threatened to kill her while pointing the air pistol at her.  A medico-legal examination documented visible injuries including bruising under the left breast, swelling to the exterior pinky finger, apparent bite marks on the right shoulder, and bruising to the left cheek.  Sosa is scheduled to return to court on April 17.