Tehje Vaughan charged with manslaughter for shooting death of Charles Canton

24-year-old, Tehje Vaughan was charged on Saturday night for the shooting death of 30-year-old, Charles Canton.  The young woman, who works at Holy Redeemer Credit Union, was charged with manslaughter by negligence.  The backstory is that she was playing with Canton’s licensed firearm in the vehicle when she pulled the trigger from the backseat.  The bullet entered Canton’s back through the driver’s seat and exited through his chest.  The matter was discussed this afternoon in the weekly Police press brief.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Officer Commanding Eastern Division: “An investigation was carried out which revealed that he was seated in the car along with two other persons when a female who was seated behind him came in possession of his firearm and accidentally fired a single shot causing his fatal injury. The female was detained and has since been charged for manslaughter by negligence and her name is Tehje Vaughan, 24 years of Belize City. They were in the car consuming alcoholic beverages and the deceased placed his gun on the seat and she took the gun from the seat.”

Vaughan was arraigned in court today before Chief Magistrate, Jayani Wegodapola.  She was denied bail despite her attorney, Leeroy Banner appealing to the court to reconsider.  He attempted to use the Jasmine Hartin matter as precedence but the prosecution was insistent that bail be denied.  The prosecution noted that the court needs to send a stern message to the public and persons who are committing offenses with the use of a firearm, that the offense is one the court takes very serious and that there must be a deterrent, as a life was lost.  It is expected that Vaughan’s attorney will be applying to the High Court for bail.  Vaughan is expected back in court on July 3.