Benyahti Brandon committed to stand trial for La Democracia murder of Paul Smith Jr.

By Breaking Belize News Staff: La Democracia resident Benyahti Jareai Brandon, 27, has been committed to stand trial in the High Court for the murder of Paul Nigel Smith Jr. and the attempted murder of Tyrece Lewis Allen.

Brandon appeared unrepresented before the Chief Magistrate in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Friday, where his Preliminary Inquiry began and concluded with his committal to the October session of the High Court, scheduled to commence on October 7, 2026.

During the proceeding, the police prosecutor tendered more than 15 witness statements and 13 documentary exhibits forming part of the prosecution’s case. Those include a Scenes of Crime report, post-mortem documents relating to Smith, Brandon’s caution statement and notes of interview, chain-of-custody documents, an arrest warrant and a medico-legal form relating to Allen.

Brandon was also given an alibi warning and provided the court with the names of two men he intends to call as witnesses at his trial.

The charges stem from a February 3 shooting on First Street in La Democracia Village. Police say Smith was walking with his girlfriend and Allen at around 9:00 a.m. when a gunman emerged from behind a house and fired several shots in their direction.

Smith attempted to flee but collapsed and was later pronounced dead at the Western Regional Hospital. Allen suffered a gunshot wound to the knee, was treated and later released. Police subsequently reported that surveillance footage from the area assisted investigators in identifying Brandon as a suspect.

Brandon was arrested and first arraigned on February 5 on charges of murder and attempted murder and was remanded to the Belize Central Prison. In August, he was provided with 83 pages of disclosure, five DVDs and three photographs ahead of Friday’s Preliminary Inquiry.

Brandon has not been convicted of either offence. The charges will now proceed to trial before the High Court.

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