Cal Charged With Murder Freed By Nolle Prosequi

Pedro Cal, 19, charged with the murder of Dison Diaz who was fatally stabbed in his abdomen with a chisel, was freed of the charge today in the Court of Justice Troadio Gonzalez when a nolle prosequi, indicating that the prosecution could not proceed, was entered by Crown Counsel Yohhahneh Cave. The nolle prosequi was entered because 7 witnesses, including the father of the deceased, could not be located.

At the trial which began last week two witnesses testified. One of the witnesses was Scenes of Crime technician Bernard Cayetano. The other witness was Ricky Herrera. Herrera testified that at around 8:00 p.m. on February 3, 2007, he was at the DFC Housing Area in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye when he saw Cal and Diaz arguing. Herrera said Diaz punched Cal in his chest then Cal pulled out a chisel and inflicted the fatal stab wound. Diaz died shortly afterwards.

Cal was represented by attorney Lionel Welch. A nolle prosequi is not an acquittal. Therefore if the prosecution can locate its witnesses it is quite likely that Cal will be re-arrested and charged.

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