The ComPol says cop believed to have committed perjury will be dealt with internally

The office of the DPP has been ordered to investigate an officer who is accused of perjury. That cop is PC Claude Augustine. Last week, during the manslaughter trial of Kareem Martinez, Augustine took the stand in Dangriga Supreme Court. While being questioned by the presiding Justice, Antoinette Moore, the cop is believed to have uttered several fabrications as it relates to what occurred on the night Laddie Gillett was killed. Augustine’s actions led to the Judge ordering him to leave the court and requesting that an investigation be opened into his testimony. Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, has since weighed in on the issue and says that the cop will have to face the full extent of the law.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “I had spoken to the prosecutor Mr.Chan and he will be providing a report to me at the end of the trial and based on that report then we’ll investigate and see where it goes from there but certainly if the officer lied in court under oath that is grounds for perjury and we’ll look at it when the time comes. I don’t think it gives the department a black eye. If we tolerate it then yes. Certainly it’s not going to be countenanced. As I have said in my intervention earlier that those of us who are charged with the responsibility of making sure that justice is achieved we do a disservice to the Belizean people when we go and lie or do things to thwart the course of justice. Whatever the outcome may be where lies or other inappropriate things are concerned it should not represent true justice. True justice can only be achieved when we present to the court everything we have in its totality and as truthful as we possibly can. Once we lie or do things that can thwart the course of justice then we cannot say we’re fighting for justice.”