Special Prosecutor Bill presented in the House

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl-Lyn Vidal, has been excluded from the triple murder case that occurred on December 31, 2022 in Belmopan.  Minister of Home Affairs, Kareem Musa, rose in the House Meeting today to present a Special Prosecutor Bill that will see an independent prosecutor assigned to cases that may be perceived as having a possible bias or conflict of interest.  In the case of the murder of David and Jon Ramnarace and Vivian Belisle, Minister Musa explained that this is being done due to the ties between the DPP and the accused murderer.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries: “Madam Speaker by way of introductory remarks it is still very fresh in our collective minds the very heinous and tragic triple murder that took place on December 31st 2022 right here in our capital city where John Ramnarace, David Ramnarace and Vivian Belisle Ramnarace lost their lives. We know Madam Speaker that the accused in this particular incident is a corporal of police who was on interdiction and it was learned that of course he has a familial tie albeit distant with the current Director of Public Prosecution and while Madam Speaker we have absolutely no reason to feel that there is any bias whatsoever and we believe that the DPP could certainly carry out in a very professional manner this particular prosecution we are nevertheless confounded by the fact that there is this familial type and as such to remove any perception of bias whatsoever and to ensure that we have an above board and transparent prosecution in this very high profile case it has become necessary for us to introduce and pass this Special Prosecutors Bill. Madam speaker while it is that the constitution at section 53 provides for the director to instruct or give authority to another individual outside of her office to prosecute by way of a writ it is the recommended advice and guidance from our Attorney General than any such prosecutor would still fall under the guidance and instructions of the DPP and so that is why this particular bill has become necessary so as to ensure like I said that we have an independent completely autonomous prosecution in this particular case and Madam Speaker this bill has the recommendation of cabinet.”

The accused person for the triple murder is Corporal Elmer Nah, nephew to former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Marco Vidal, who is the DPP’s estranged husband.