Police Inspector Pleads Guilty to Wounding Charge, Sentencing Set for September 13

Police Inspector Christopher Martinez, who was charged with wounding, has decided to plead guilty to the offense. Martinez changed his not guilty plea to guilty when he appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court today, along with his attorney Senior Counsel Simeon Sampson. Chief Magistrate Jayani Wegadapola accepted the guilty plea and set the mitigation and sentencing hearing for September 13. Outside the courtroom, Aaron Flowers said that he feels encouraged that justice is being served and alleged that he had been offered bribes to drop the case against Martinez.

Aaron Flowers, Victim of Wounding: “Well I felt real good. You know the reason why ? But not absolutely good because I want him to go to prison. This was not on camera and I did not have a father and a mother that loved me this would have been like nothing. They tried to pay me house and land, they tried to give me licensed gun, they tried to give me money but nothing can buy my integrity. One minute let me show you guys something. You see in the middle of my head right here ? This is a scar that can never be replaced. I’m filing a lawsuit but you see the lawsuit is not even $40,000, not even $50,000 dollars could ever bring my head back to normal. Every time I take a trim I feel this. I forgive the guy in his heart for what he’s done to me but I’m glad justice has been served. I’m just waiting to see what will be the outcome. Like I said not the amount of money can never buy back my normal head that I had before.”

At the start of the proceedings, Martinez had asked for a sentencing indication to determine whether or not he would plead guilty. After being informed by the Chief Magistrate that she would impose prison time, Martinez chose to go to trial. He appeared in court yesterday reportedly preparing for a trial when his attorney requested that the Chief Magistrate recuse herself from the matter. Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl Lynn Vidal handled the case personally but declined to comment.  Martinez was charged for hitting Belize City businessman Aaron Flowers in the head with a padlock, while Flowers was inside a holding cell at the Ladyville Police Station in June 2023.