Bevan Alford acquitted of friend Freddy Chicas’ murder despite confessing after Judge questions reliability of his confession and mental health; Alford says ‘Less friends the better’

By Breaking Belize News Staff: Twenty-two-year-old Bevan Curtis Alford walked free from the High Court on Thursday after being found not guilty of the 2023 murder of his friend, Freddy Eduardo Chicas.

Alford had spent approximately three years on remand after police charged him with killing the 21-year-old, whose partially decomposed body was discovered near Mile 5 on the George Price Highway on March 10, 2023. Chicas had suffered a single gunshot wound to the head.

Justice Nigel Pilgrim ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove Alford’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The case was built largely on several alleged admissions made by Alford, as there were no eyewitnesses, DNA evidence or other physical evidence placing him with Chicas when the killing occurred.

The judge had previously ruled that Alford’s statements were given freely and voluntarily. However, Justice Pilgrim said he could not be certain that the admissions were true or reliable, particularly when considered alongside evidence concerning Alford’s mental health.

The court heard that Alford had experienced anxiety, depression, paranoia and suicidal behaviour and had previously been hospitalized following a suicide attempt. Dr. Crystal Humes examined him in March 2025 and found that he displayed symptoms of paranoia and was taking medication, although she could not determine his state of mind at the time of the March 2023 murder.

One alleged admission was made to Alford’s former mother-in-law through Facebook Messenger. She testified that Alford sent her a photograph of Chicas and later said he wanted to turn himself in. She also claimed that Alford told her, “I sent someone for him,” suggesting that another person may have been hired to carry out the killing.

A Belize Defence Force soldier who was Alford’s friend also testified that Alford told him he had killed someone and threatened to kill him if he repeated the information. Police additionally claimed that Alford admitted during an interview that he had killed Chicas.

Justice Pilgrim noted inconsistencies between the different accounts. In one version, Alford allegedly claimed that he killed Chicas, while another suggested that he had sent someone else to do it. The judge observed that the latter statement could indicate involvement in the crime but was not necessarily an admission that Alford personally committed the murder.

Alford was never charged with abetment to murder or any alternative offence.

During the trial, Alford gave a statement from the dock in which he described himself as a recovering addict and denied having any involvement in Chicas’ death. His attorney, Norman Moore, argued that Alford had told police he did not kill Chicas and had only moved the body.

Moore also challenged the testimony of police witnesses, alleging that evidence had been concocted or obtained through coercion.

Chicas was reportedly last seen alive after returning from a hunting trip with a friend on March 7, 2023. The friend testified that he left Chicas at a junkyard. After Chicas failed to return home, his family organized a search on March 9.

The following day, relatives noticed vultures—commonly called “John Crows”—circling an area near a pond. They found Chicas’ body in a crouched or kneeling position, wearing a fisherman’s hat over his dreadlocks, a black shirt, three-quarter jeans pants and black slippers.

Following Thursday’s verdict, Alford was taken to the detention area for final checks before being released. Asked how it felt to regain his freedom, he said he planned to return to school.

“Well, I gaan back dah school and continue my education,” Alford said.

He also offered himself one piece of advice following the ordeal: “Less friends the better.”

When questioned further about his mental state at the time he was detained and interviewed by police, Alford declined to comment.

“I nuh really wah talk,” he said before walking away.

While Alford has now been acquitted, the verdict leaves Chicas’ family without an answer as to who killed their loved one.

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