Man Charged with Murder of Gang Affiliate Freed Due to Insufficient Evidence

The man who was charged for the murder of known affiliate of the George Street Gang, Nicoli Rashawn Rhys, is freed from those charges. 31-year-old David Noel Sutherland appeared before chief Magistrate Jayani Wegodapola, there Prosecutor Sargeant Christopher Smith informed the court of a memorandum sent to the court directing the court to withdraw the charge for murder against Sutherland due to insufficient evidence. Sutherland was already facing a three-year sentence for lesser offences of firearm, ammunition, and drug possession so he was escorted back to the Belize Central Prison. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams says that the investigation on the 2023 murder continues.  

The victim, Rhys was gunned down on Neal’s Pen Road in July 2023.