Almost a year after ‘Big Tom’ murder, Sydney Peyrefitte murder trial adjourned again over delays in crucial evidence

By Breaking Belize News Staff: The murder case against businessman and tour guide Sidney Lewis Peyrefitte was adjourned again on Tuesday as prosecutors await two crucial pieces of evidence, including CCTV footage that police say captured the fatal shooting of Kenneth Flowers, also known as “Big Tom.”

Peyrefitte, a tour guide employed with Exotic Shore Excursion and a resident of the Sunset Park area at Mile 8½ on the George Price Highway, appeared unrepresented before the Chief Magistrate in Court #1.

A police prosecutor informed the court that investigators have not yet completed additional disclosure consisting of the CCTV footage and a forensic report relating to the firearm allegedly used in the killing.

The court heard that the case file had previously been returned to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, which gave instructions for the matter to proceed to a preliminary inquiry. However, a PI date cannot be set until Peyrefitte receives the complete disclosure.

The prosecutor explained that the forensic officer initially assigned to prepare the report is no longer in the jurisdiction and another officer has since been tasked with completing the work.

The Chief Magistrate expressed concern about the delay, noting that Peyrefitte received only partial disclosure in June and that the murder case has been before the court for almost a year.

“These items are very important pieces of evidence,” the Chief Magistrate said.

She warned that, should the outstanding evidence not be ready by the next hearing, the officer responsible for preparing it may be summoned to appear before the court and explain the delay.

The case was adjourned until September 4, 2026.

Peyrefitte was arraigned on October 8, 2025, in connection with Flowers’ shooting death and has now spent approximately nine months and three weeks on remand at the Belize Central Prison.

His appearance on Tuesday came one day after he was mistakenly transported from prison to court a day ahead of his scheduled hearing, an incident jokingly described as a “joy ride.”

The post Almost a year after ‘Big Tom’ murder, Sydney Peyrefitte murder trial adjourned again over delays in crucial evidence appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.