Ramon Alberto Alcoser and Juan Carlos Morales Must Wait Until January for Appeal Hearing

A police officer and a Belize Defence Force soldier appealing their convictions and prison sentences for perverting the course of justice will have to wait until January 13, 2027, for their hearing. Justice Derick Sylvester granted the adjournment today in the High Court. The appeal involves BDF soldier Ramon Alberto Alcoser and police officer Juan Carlos Morales, who were convicted in connection with statements they gave following the fatal shooting of Jessie Escobar.  Escobar, also a BDF soldier, was shot and killed in Santa Familia Village on September 5, 2021.  At their trial in the lower court, the magistrate found that Alcoser and Morales had lied and omitted key details from their statements about the shooting. Alcoser was sentenced to one year and two months in prison, while Morales received one year and eleven months.  Both men are challenging their convictions and sentences. They are represented on appeal by attorney Orson “OJ” Elrington.  During today’s proceedings, Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl-Lynn Vidal requested more time to respond to the defence’s written submissions, which were filed last Friday, October twenty-third.  The court was told that approximately six to seven grounds of appeal would need to be addressed. Both sides agreed that two hours would be needed for oral arguments, but the court’s calendar could not accommodate the hearing before January.  Alcoser and Morales, who have reportedly served about ten months of their sentences, remain in custody at the Belize Central Prison.