Trio walk from 2023 Gracie Rock murder of Denver Montero after case crumbles because witnesses could not be found

By Breaking Belize News Staff: Three persons, including a father and his son, walked free from a murder charge on Friday after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions entered a nolle prosequi in a 2023 Gracie Rock murder case.

Tyrone Young Sr., now 38, a taxi-man/construction worker of Mahogany Street, Belize City; his son, Tyrone Young Jr., now 19; and Aaron Smith Jr., now 18, had been jointly charged with the murder of 26-year-old Denver Denmark Montero.

The case stemmed from an incident on Sunday, April 2, 2023, when Montero and several others were socializing near the riverside in Gracie Rock. What allegedly began as a robbery reportedly turned deadly when gunfire erupted, leaving Montero dead and others injured.

The trial against the trio began on June 1, 2026, before Justice Candace Nanton in a trial by judge without jury. However, the Crown’s case ran into difficulty after four crucial witnesses could not be located to testify.

Earlier in the trial, the Crown had applied for warrants to have the witnesses brought before the court, but those warrants could not be executed because police were unable to locate them.

Attorney Ronell Gonzalez, who represented Young Sr., explained that the Crown had already called several witnesses, including two scenes of crime technicians, the investigating officer, Sgt. Dorian Chi, and several agreed witnesses. However, the absence of the four key witnesses left the Crown unable to proceed.

According to the allegations, Smith was accused of being armed with a firearm during the robbery. Witness statements had further alleged that Smith later handed over the firearm to Young Sr., who was accused of shooting Montero as the group left the area.

Back in 2023, police had said that while several persons were reportedly robbed, they were unable to levy robbery charges because a group of 12 persons, including seven adults and five minors, were not cooperating with the investigation.

Young Sr. had also been additionally charged with attempted murder and use of deadly means of harm upon Ryan Kerr, who was shot and injured during the incident. Kerr was among the four witnesses who could not be located for the trial.

Young Jr. was represented by attorney Orson “OJ” Elrington, while Smith Jr. was represented by attorney Dale Cayetano.

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