‘Tanga’ murder trial stalled as only witness can’t be located as Marybeth refuses to testify

By Breaking Belize News Staff: The long-awaited murder trial of two men accused of killing well-known street figure Winston Joseph James, better known as “Tanga,” has been delayed after prosecutors told the High Court that a key Crown witness cannot be located.

Azzane Domingo, 23, and Eustace Lewis, 36, are jointly indicted for the murder of James, who was shot and killed in Belize City on January 21, 2022.

The trial before Justice Candace Nanton had been scheduled to begin this week, but on Thursday Crown counsel sought another adjournment, explaining that a male witness considered important to the prosecution’s case has still not been found.

The court was told that police, including officers attached to the GI3, have been attempting to locate the witness. Prosecutors said additional officers are expected to assist with the search over the weekend.

Attorneys Leeroy Banner, representing Domingo, and Senior Counsel Ellis Arnold, representing Lewis, expressed concern over the continued delay but did not object to one final adjournment.

Arnold indicated that if the prosecution is still unable to proceed at the next hearing, he may pursue another course of action on behalf of his client. Banner expressed similar concerns given the length of time the matter has remained before the courts.

Justice Nanton granted what was described as a final adjournment until Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

James was shot multiple times while driving a Nissan Pathfinder near the West Canal area of Belize City on January 21, 2022. His then-partner, Marybeth Wade, was travelling with him and was also shot but survived. James lost control of the vehicle following the shooting and crashed.

Domingo was charged with James’s murder on September 23, 2024, more than two and a half years after the killing. He was also charged in connection with the shooting of Wade. Lewis was subsequently arraigned on September 25, 2024, initially on a charge of abetment to murder.

Following their preliminary inquiry in August 2025, the men were committed to stand trial in the High Court. They have since been jointly indicted for murder.

The prosecution’s witness situation has previously attracted public attention. Wade, who had been described in court reporting as a key Crown witness because she was inside the vehicle when the shooting occurred, publicly stated in August 2025 that she did not intend to testify against the accused men.

The male witness prosecutors are presently trying to locate has not been publicly identified in the current proceedings.

Domingo and Lewis have not been convicted of the charge against them, and the allegations are to be determined at trial.

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