By Belize Live News Staff: Oscar Selgado, an attorney, has been sentenced to ten years in prison after being found guilty of abetment to commit murder. The High Court’s Justice Nigel Pilgrim delivered the sentence, concluding a case that has attracted significant attention.
On March 8, Selgado was convicted based on evidence that he had hired Giovanni Ramirez to murder Marilyn Barnes. Barnes, a client of Selgado, had lodged a complaint against him with the General Legal Counsel, citing unethical behavior.
Key evidence in the trial included a recording provided by Ramirez, allegedly capturing Selgado instructing him to carry out the murder. This recording was pivotal in securing the guilty verdict.
In mitigation, Selgado’s defense highlighted his health issues, particularly diabetes, and the inadequate medical care in the prison system. Despite these arguments, Justice Pilgrim determined that the gravity of the offense necessitated the maximum sentence.
