Partner of military veteran imprisoned in Belize calls on Canadian government for support
The partner of a Canadian military veteran who is in a Belize prison is calling on the Canadian government for help.
According to police in Belize, Canadian Armed Forces veteran J.R. Smith was behind the wheel of a getaway car used moments after a mass shooting at a nightclub on July 31 that left two dead and eight others injured.
Denise Hepburn, Smith's partner, says that he is being treated "like an animal" in prison.
"He needs help," says Hepburn.
Hepburn maintains that her partner is innocent and was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Smith has spent more than 10 days behind bars in a Belize prison.
Smith's girlfriend says he saw a lawyer today for the first time since police in Belize arrested and charged him with abetment to commit murder. Police then upgraded the charge to murder following a July 31 nightclub shooting that killed two people and injured eight more.
Hepburn retells the chaotic night, saying that Smith heard gunfire and saw everyone running and screaming.
"Everybody was pouring out of this one door of this place, and he said I didn't stick around to see what was happening. He said I just wanted to get these people out of there," Hepburn explains.
She says Smith was in his pickup truck when he heard gunshots nearby. Seconds later, he told Denise, a young woman and two young men jumped into his truck.
The 43-year-old, who served in Afghanistan, owned a cabinetry-making business in New Lowell after retiring from the military. He also mentored retiring soldiers in skilled trades.
He now fears for his safety in prison in Belize. Hepburn said Smith has been physically abused while in prison.
"He's been beaten. He's had a bag, plastic bags put over his head. He said he almost passed out a couple of times. He had to be taken to the hospital because they kicked him in the stomach so hard, and he just had an emergency appendectomy a couple of weeks before that."
CTV News contacted police in Belize, who said any interviews with Commissioner Chester Williams must be done in person.
In an interview with CTV News over the phone, a police official said he was unaware of Smith's case.
In a statement, Global Affairs Canada said:
"We are aware of a Canadian who has been detained in Belize. Consular officials stand ready to provide consular assistance and are in contact with local authorities for additional information."
Denise says Smith had moved to Belize in March to build a home after he was forced to close his business due to COVID-19 lockdowns and other restrictions.
"I don't even want to know how much more difficult they can make it for him," Hepburn says.
Denise says Smith remains in a police prison alone, desperate for help and answers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated J&J cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.