Belize City Man Remanded for Fatal Stabbing on Ebony Street

A Belize City man accused of a fatal stabbing earlier this week has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison after being formally arraigned in court today.  Fifty-three-year-old Ralph Sherlock Martinez Sr., also known as “Mini Man,” was escorted to the Belize City Magistrate’s Court this morning where he was charged with the murder of fifty-six-year-old Mark Longsworth.  The charge stems from a stabbing incident that occurred shortly after midnight on Monday, May 11, at the corner of Ebony and Mopan Streets in Belize City. Police say officers initially responded to reports of a stabbing and later learned that the injured man had been transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital suffering from multiple stab wounds. The victim later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead shortly after one o’clock that morning.  Investigators say the victim was initially unidentified and listed as a John Doe, he was later identified as Mark Longsworth by his sister, Dorla Vernon.  Police say their investigation quickly led them to Martinez after surveillance footage obtained from the department’s Fusion Center allegedly captured a man matching his description moving through the area around the time of the attack. According to investigators, footage showed a man dressed in light-colored pants and a white shirt leaving an address on Lakeview Street shortly before the stabbing and returning to the area minutes later.  Officers subsequently conducted checks at a residence on Lakeview Street where Martinez was detained and later questioned. Police say that during an interview conducted yesterday, Martinez denied leaving his home during the time in question and claimed that he had been asleep.  However, investigators say witness statements later identified Martinez as the individual responsible for stabbing Longsworth.  Martinez appeared unrepresented in court today. Due to the nature of the offense, no plea was taken and bail was denied. He has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison until July 10, when he is scheduled to return to court.