Trial of Interdicted Police Sergeant Walton Banner Begins Amid Allegations of Obstruction

The trial of interdicted police sergeant thirty-six-year-old Walton Patrick Banner began today in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court. Banner, a resident of Lemonal Village is facing allegations of obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duties. The incident in question occurred on April 1, 2024, during a horse racing event at the Castleton Horse Track in Burrell Boom Village. Banner is accused of preventing Corporal Shane Cabral from arresting Julian Reynolds amidst a chaotic scene in the parking lot. Head of Prosecution, Alifah Elrington, called two of the five witnesses for the Crown today. Testifying first was a police constable, who described the events that unfolded that day. According to the pc, officers were initially tasked with dispersing a crowd after the horse race concluded. However, a fight broke out in the parking lot, with several individuals throwing objects. Amid the disorder, a man wielding a machete injured another individual, prompting Corporal Cabral to fire a warning shot to disperse the crowd. The cop testified that the machete-wielding man complied with police orders and was being escorted to the police mobile when an individual, later identified as Banner, allegedly disrupted the arrest. The pc stated that Banner’s actions and remarks drew a group of people, hindering the officers’ ability to carry out their duties. The second witness, PC Travis Zuniga, corroborated parts of Mendez’s testimony but faced rigorous cross-examination from Banner’s attorney, Leeroy Banner. Under questioning, Zuniga admitted discrepancies between his statement to police in 2024 and his testimony today, leading the defense to suggest he fabricated parts of his account. This afternoon, the Crown called two additional witnesses, PC Christian Reyes and Corporal Shane Cabral, who further testified about the chaotic events of April 1, 2024. The trial is set to continue on Thursday, January 23, 2024, when the Prosecution is expected to call its final witness before closing its case.