San Pedro Resident Freed After Attempted Murder Charge Dropped in Court

A San Pedro resident is tonight reunited with his family after spending more than two years on remand for an attempted murder charge that was dropped in court today. Twenty-seven-year-old Saul Rodas was accused of attempting to kill Darwin Ramirez during a 2022 shooting incident on the island, but he is now a free man.  Rodas appeared before Justice Candace Nanton in the High Court, where his trial was scheduled to begin. However, Crown Counsel Robert Lord, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), entered a nolle prosequi, effectively withdrawing the charge against him. As a result, Rodas was told he was free to go, much to the relief of his family.  The charges stemmed from an incident in 2022 when the virtual complainant, Darwin Ramirez, told police that he had been out drinking with friends. According to Ramirez, after leaving the gathering, he was approached by two men who emerged from a bushy area with firearms in hand. One of the men wore a face covering, but the other, whom Ramirez recognized as Rodas, did not.  Ramirez claimed that Rodas, whom he knew from playing football together, instructed the other man, saying, “Mek weh kill this man.” The gunman then shot Ramirez, hitting him in the right shoulder. The bullet exited through his left shoulder. Despite his injuries, Ramirez managed to reach a Special Patrol Unit nearby, where he received assistance and was taken to a clinic for treatment.  Since his arrest in 2022, Rodas had been on remand at the Belize Central Prison. Today, his attorney, Lynden Jones of Corozal Town, successfully represented him in court as the attempted murder charge was dropped, ending Rodas’ lengthy time in legal limbo.  As Rodas returns home, the circumstances surrounding the case leave lingering questions about the incident that led to his two-year ordeal behind bars.