Collin Francis found stable to stand trial for murder of Nestor Vasquez Jr. but Court says it won’t accept just one evaluation

By Breaking Belize News Staff: The murder case against Collin Francis Jr. could take a significant turn when it returns to the High Court on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. Francis had previously been found unfit to enter a plea and was ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluations every six months for two years. However, Justice Nigel Pilgrim was informed on Friday that only one evaluation had been completed. The June 29, 2026 report, prepared by psychiatrist Dr. Denethia Usher, found that Francis is now stable, taking his medication and considered fit to enter a plea. The report also noted that his condition had improved while he was away from marijuana. The prosecution indicated that the Director of Public Prosecutions’ office was prepared to proceed to trial. Justice Pilgrim, however, said he would not allow the case to proceed to trial based solely on the single evaluation. The judge asked whether the prosecution would consider accepting a guilty plea, but the Crown said instructions would first have to be obtained from the DPP. Francis is charged with the 2019 murder of 60-year-old Nestor Vasquez Jr., who was fatally injured while the two men were detained in a cell at the Queen Street Police Station. The matter was adjourned until Tuesday for the prosecution to indicate how it intends to proceed. The post Collin Francis found stable to stand trial for murder of Nestor Vasquez Jr. but Court says it won’t accept just one evaluation appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.