Rayford Mejia Receives Life Sentence for Murder of Police Constable Osburne Martinez

Twenty-three-year-old Rayford Mejia, one of three people who was charged for the murder of Police Constable Osburne Martinez, has been sentenced to life in prison. Mejia appeared in the High Court of Belize Justice Ricardo O’Neil Sandcroft for his sentencing hearing yesterday. Justice Sandcroft said that he could not afford much leniency to Mejia because the matter went through a full trial. He also said that the sentence was being used to send a strong message because the killing of a police officer would not be countenanced in any country. Mejia will be eligible for parole after serving 25 years.  The other two accused, Tyrique Myles and Glen Lopez both pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter. November 2, 2018, the three men had entered the BelCove Hotel in Belize City to commit an armed robbery; however quick police response led them to the scene while the men were still inside. The trio ended up in a shootout with police, where PC Martinez was fatally shot.