by Anita Nembhard Flowers
channel 1 Belize.com
Belize City, Fri. Feb. 4, 2022
The shooting of Businessman Orin Velasquez at his Ladyville Pizza-Shop on July 27th. 2020 was national news and shocked the Ladyville community, because ‘Bredda O’ was a young businessman that gave back to the community.
Orin Velasquez’s life was cut short when he was senselessly gunned down during an apparent robbery which turn murder at his business-place.
“Bredda O” was a well-liked businessman who from all account was giving back to his community in the Ladyville area to help youths in the area, but tonight the alleged shooter identified as Lincoln Daniel Diaz, then only 19, has been charged for the murder.
Diaz is now 20 years-old, and was unrepresented at the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) this morning in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court; and he learnt his faith when told he must stand trial for Velasquez’s murder.
On July 27, 2020, Orin Velasquez was gunned down inside his business-place located on Perez Road in Ladyville, and just before closing time someone entered and shot him.
His life cut short, he never saw the birth of his twin children as his wife was three months pregnant at the time of his murder.
At the PI, which was heard before Senior Magistrate, Aretha Ford in Court #2, prosecutor in the case, Sgt. Kennard Clark submitted over 10 statements and as many as 12 documentary exhibits they intent to rely on against Diaz at his murder trial.
When asked about whether or not he has any alibi witnesses to call at his Supreme Court trial, Diaz was unable to provide any names today but has 7 working days to do so in writing as explained by, Senior Magistrate, Ford.
Prosecutor Sgt. Clark tendered into evidence a number of caution statements including one also given by the accused himself on November 2, 2020.
He also submitted DVD’s recordings of those caution statements and as many as 59 photographs taken at the murder scene before closing his case against Diaz.
Diaz next court appearance will be at the June Session of the Supreme Court set to commence on June 13, 2022.
In 14 days time, Lincoln Daniel Diaz will turn 21 on February 18, and will be celebrating his 21st birthday behind bars.