Court orders psychiatric evaluation for accused thief after questions arise about identity, ability to understand proceedings

By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 33-year-old man accused of stealing a cellphone was remanded to the Belize Central Prison on Monday after a magistrate ordered that he undergo a psychiatric evaluation amid concerns about whether he understood the court proceedings.

The man, known to police and the court as Raymond Moody and also as Lavender Kendale, appeared before Senior Magistrate Mannon Dennison on a single charge of theft.

Moody is accused of stealing a dark blue Samsung cellphone valued at $650, on Wednesday, August 26.

His arraignment was initially halted because he could not provide identification and questions again arose over his true identity. The matter was briefly stood down while prosecutors sought further information.

Later in the day, a woman identifying herself as his mother, Maria Moody, appeared in court and told the magistrate that the accused is her 33-year-old son, Raymond Moody, who was born at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. She did not have documentary proof of his identity with her.

When the theft charge was read and Moody was asked to enter a plea, he reportedly responded, “I nuh know which is correct.”

Senior Magistrate Dennison subsequently ordered a psychiatric evaluation, with the court expressing concern that Moody may not be in a position to properly understand the proceedings or enter a plea. He was remanded until September 30, 2026.

Outside court, Maria Moody became emotional over her son’s remand. She said her son has experienced memory problems since suffering a blow to the head approximately three years ago.

“He is not crazy. Things come and go,” she said, explaining that he had previously been treated at the Port Loyola Clinic and KHMH following the injury.

Moody previously came before the court in 2025 after attorney Audrey Matura reported a burglary. During those proceedings, questions also arose over his identity after the man police knew as Raymond Moody told the court his name was Lavender Kendale.

That burglary case was eventually dismissed after the court was unable to establish with sufficient certainty the identity of the person before it.

Moody is scheduled to return to court on September 30.

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