Marvin Cal Found Guilty in Fatal Traffic Case

A nine-member jury has found Marvin Cal guilty of causing death by careless conduct, bringing closure to a fatal traffic case that dates back to November 2023.  The verdict was delivered today in the High Court in Belize City after the panel, comprised of six women and three men, retired to deliberate at 11:50 a.m. After two hours and thirty-eight minutes, jurors returned with a unanimous decision, concluding that Cal was the driver of the white Ford Ranger pickup truck involved in the deadly crash and that his actions amounted to careless driving.  The charge stems from a traffic accident on November 12, 2023, along the Burrell Boom–Hattieville Road. The court heard that Cal, while attempting to overtake a bus at high speed, lost control of the vehicle and collided with a grey Dodge Dakota pickup truck towing a trailer. The impact resulted in the death of his passenger, Oscar Rhodas, who was thrown from the vehicle and died at the scene from severe injuries.  During the trial, the prosecution, led by Crown Counsel Maria Nembhard-Santana, presented a largely circumstantial case supported by eyewitness and expert testimony. Despite the evidence, Cal maintained his innocence in a dock statement, insisting he was not the driver but a passenger at the time of the crash.  In his summation, Justice Derick Sylvester instructed jurors on the law surrounding careless driving and the elements the Crown needed to prove, emphasizing that they must be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt. Ultimately, the jury accepted the prosecution’s case.  Following the guilty verdict, Justice Sylvester revoked Cal’s bail and remanded him to the Belize Central Prison pending sentencing, which is scheduled for June 16. The court has ordered the preparation of a victim impact statement, a social inquiry report, and an antecedent report.  Cal, who is represented by attorney Hurl Hamilton, is expected to present character witnesses during the mitigation phase. Under the law, the offense carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment, though the court may also consider a non-custodial sentence depending on the circumstances.