By Breaking Belize News Staff: Nearly two years after three luxury vehicles belonging to businessman Bob Hotchandani and his son were destroyed in a suspected arson attack, the man accused of setting them ablaze is still without an attorney as his case moves toward trial in the High Court.
Twenty-four-year-old Manuel Anthony Moralez appeared unrepresented before Justice Candace Nanton on Friday for a case management conference involving three counts of arson.
When questioned about legal representation, Moralez told the court that he intended to secure an attorney and would try his best to do so if granted additional time.
Justice Nanton agreed to adjourn the matter until March 15, 2027, giving Moralez approximately five months to obtain legal representation. However, she warned that if he remains unrepresented by then, the court will have to proceed with setting a trial date.
Moralez, a construction worker from Sandhill Village, was charged with three counts of arson in December 2024 following a fire that destroyed three vehicles parked outside the Hotchandani family residence on Barrack Road in Belize City.
The vehicles included a 2022 Cadillac Escalade valued at $250,000 and a 2023 Audi Q7 valued at $150,000, both belonging to 75-year-old businessman Bob Hotchandani. A Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck valued at $85,000, belonging to his son, Sunjay Hotchandani, was also destroyed.
According to earlier reporting by 7News, police said three men arrived at the property by boat shortly before 5:00 a.m. on December 22, 2024, poured a flammable substance on the vehicles and set them on fire before escaping by boat.
Surveillance cameras reportedly captured the attack, and police subsequently identified Moralez as one of the alleged perpetrators.
At his initial arraignment, prosecutors opposed bail, citing the substantial value of the destroyed vehicles, the surveillance evidence and concerns that Moralez could interfere with the investigation or face retaliation from other persons allegedly involved. He was subsequently remanded to the Belize Central Prison.
The case has since been committed to the High Court for trial, but proceedings remain stalled while Moralez attempts to secure legal representation.
Moralez’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 15, 2027.
The post Man accused of torching Hotchandani family’s $485,000 vehicles still without attorney as arson case heads to High Court appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.