crime

Robbers to face murder charges

People convicted of murder will now face 10 more years in prison due to judicial code changes.

The seven people charged in the shooting death of a businesswoman on Oct. 18 of last year will face a maximum of 30 years in prison.

That is the maximum penalty for the charges that the seven defendants face, according to recent changes in the judicial code.

Cristina María García Eleta was shot during an attempted robbery at the Instituto de Acueductos y Alcantarillados Nacionales (Idaan) de Corozal.

Police have charged Oscar Pinzón, José Arias, Oscar Torres, Vicente Acuña, Kennia Castillo, Reginaldo Bailey and Eliécer González. They all face murder charges.

García was paying a water bill when the men stormed into the office to rob it. Police, who had noticed the defendants acting suspiciously before they entered the building, exchanged gunfire with the robbers as they left. García was hit in the crossfire.

The changes to the criminal code increased the penalty for murder from 20 to 30 years.

This week, prosecutors announced upgraded charges against the defendants from armed assault to murder.

Ballistics tests were never able to determine which weapon fired the fatal shot that killed García.