Julio Paiz sentenced to thirty years for his coworker’s murder 

A week after his mitigation pleas were heard in the Belize High Court, 21-year-old Julio Paiz Jr. was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder of Hilberto Caliz. Justice Nigel Pilgrim handed down the decision today explaining the aggravating and mitigating factors that helped shape the decision. While Justice Pilgrim acknowledged Paiz’s young age and his expressions of remorse, he found several aggravating factors, including the calculated nature of the crime, its execution in public, and the use of a firearm. Paiz’s behavior in prison, which included multiple disciplinary infractions, also raised concerns about his rehabilitation. Justice Pilgrim ultimately imposed a fixed term of 30 years, backdated to December 16, 2021, when Paiz was first remanded. He will be eligible for parole after serving half of the sentence. Justice Pilgrim emphasized that while the crime did not qualify as one of the “worst of the worst,” warranting the death penalty, the sentence reflects the need for justice, deterrence, and retribution in cases of heinous acts of violence. Senior Crown Counsel Sheiniza Smith represented the prosecution, while Attorney Emmerita Anderson defended Paiz. The sentencing followed three years of legal proceedings after Paiz was charged with executing Caliz in broad daylight in front of his wife. The incident happened on December 11, 2021, in a neighborhood where both men lived and worked. According to court evidence, the killing was sparked by a workplace conflict. Paiz had been fired from his job after Caliz reported him for threatening Caliz’s wife. Five days later, Paiz sought revenge, fatally shooting Caliz twice in the chest. During the sentencing, Justice Pilgrim weighed several factors, including the premeditation involved in the crime. He described the murder as a “public execution,” highlighting the emotional and psychological toll it had on Caliz’s wife, who witnessed the killing, and his grieving family. Victim impact statements from Caliz’s family painted a heartbreaking picture of their loss. Caliz’s mother described her son as a loving and hardworking man, beloved by his family and community. She shared how his death left her with lasting health issues and emotional pain. His brother echoed the sentiment, calling the loss “unbearable” and stating that Caliz was not just a sibling but a confidant and pillar of their family.