Rupert Flowers

Belize City, Thurs. Dec. 19, 2008 - A jury of six women and three men emerged at 2:21 this evening with a unanimous verdict of guilty for a charge of unlawful carnal knowledge brought against Rupert Linsdale Flowers, 65, a resident of Hattieville.

Justice Adolph Lucas told Flowers, who was undefended, that normally a lawyer would request time to produce character witnesses who would assist the judge in determining his sentence. He then asked Flowers if he had anyone that could talk on his behalf and asked him when he could produce these persons. Flowers claimed he had persons to speak on his behalf, and would be able to produce them by next Thursday. Lucas then deferred sentencing until next week Tuesday, December 23, when he will listen to the witnesses and pass his sentence, which can be no less than 5 years and no more than 10 years.

Flowers, who walks with the help of a walking stick, was taken to the Hattieville Prison until next week Tuesday.

 The case started yesterday. Attorney Nadine Palacio from the Office of the DPP represented the prosecution and called 4 witnesses. The victim, 15, testified from the dock and stated that she “felt Flowers’ penis inside her and when he was finished penetrating her he gave her $1.50.” He used a condom from his dresser, said the teen.

The other three witnesses were the teenager’s mother, WPC Anderson and Sergeant Lawrence Humes.

Flowers, who chose to give his testimony from the dock, where he could not be cross-examined, said that he is impotent because of his medical condition, diabetes. Moreover, he said, even if could have sex he would not have done so with the teenager.

The incident occurred on September 12th, 2006, but was not reported until January of 2007. It took place at the man’s home in Hattieville.

As Flowers was being escorted by Police to the holding cell, he said, “Remember, they are sending an impotent man to prison for carnal knowledge.”

The jury started its deliberations at 11:30 p.m.