In reference to the murder of Ofelia Cruz which occurred on August 13, 2019, the police have been able to arrest and charge a second man for murder. That man, Julian Torres, was arraigned late on Monday, September 23, 2019 at the Belize City Magistrate’s Court. The 20-year-old construction worker and resident of Camalote Village, Cayo appeared before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford where he was read the charge of murder. No plea was taken and he was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until October 25, 2019 when he is expected to return to court. Torres was limping during his arraignment, claiming that he had been shot by the police.
Ofelia Cruz, a 69-year-old Mexican national, met her death at her home in Sandhill in the Belize District. Cruz lived with her husband but was alone when two men stormed onto their property looking for her husband. According to the police, the men were looking for his shotgun and while they managed to take it, they allegedly hit Cruz in the head with a hammer before leaving. She was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Torres now joins a minor who was previously charged for the murder.
