Will Laddie’s family get Justice?

. The highly-anticipated trial, which began on January 23, was held in the High Court where former cop, Kareem Martinez, pled not guilty to the manslaughter charge. The Seine Bight resident stands accused of fatally shooting 14-year-old Laddie Gillett on July 14, 2021. The minor was shot and killed while walking with a friend on a beach in Placencia Village. His killing sparked a wave of public anger and resulted in the establishment of the Justice for Laddie Foundation. And, the organization is now hoping that its journey toward justice for the slain minor will be reaching a conclusion. In a release sent out this evening, the foundation stated (quote) “Let’s take a minute to focus on some of the positives that came out of this otherwise tragic chapter in Belize’s history. For amid the damage that Kareem Martinez did to Laddie’s family, friends, and the nation – the loss of a boy so dearly loved, the damage to the reputation of a police department and the many good, decent men and women who serve there; the strained relations between young people and authority, and much more hope… Hopefully, there will be a sense of relief that justice has finally arrived.” (Unquote) The foundation is calling on the public to show their support by joining the family for the announcement of tomorrow’s verdict. However, the foundation is asking for any protest held tomorrow to remain peaceful in case the verdict does not represent their hopes./