By:St. Clair ‘Sazam’ Hull
(CHARLESTOWN NEVIS)-The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Nevis Circuit began its November Assizes on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 before Her Ladyship, Justice Lorraine Williams.
At the inception of the Assizes, one of the lawyers for the Prosecution team Mr. Vasquez Gomez apologized to the Court for the absence of the DPP, Mr. Dane Hamilton QC. Gomez noted that Mr. Hamilton was in Miami attending a conference. Her Ladyship pointed out, that Hamilton being absent was disrespectful. She noting that being in Court should have been his first priority not Miami. Her Ladyship was of the perspective, that everyone feels as though they can do whatever they desire to do. She indicated that she was going to put a halt to such actions.
There are eight (8) matters pending before the Court of which four were traversed from the April Assizes. Perry Fredericks and Roxanne Grant were jointly charged for Rape and Unlawful Carnal Knowledge and are set to appear before the Court on Wednesday, November 9, 2016.
Delano Browne, a resident of Cotton Ground who was charged with armed robbery and assault is also set to appear before the Court. Browne’s first trial which was heard in April 2016 ended with a hung jury.
Dexter Somersall and Craig Halliday, who are jointly charged for murder also had their matter traversed from the April Assizes. The duo which is currently charged with the murder of Leon Westerman in 2007, was a part of a jointly charged trio along with Asim Parris. However, Parris met his demise a few months ago when he was fatally shot in the vicinity of the Bath Cemetery. Both men will appear before the Court on Monday, November 7, 2016.
Roosevelt Browne is charged for kidnapping and rape and is set to appear before the Court on Thursday, November 10, 2016. Browne whose matter was set to be heard in April has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
There are four (4) new matters before the Court. Ibal Tyson and Franchette Davis are jointly charged for house breaking and larceny as well as burglary. Both men asked the Court’s permission to seek legal representation indicating that they had no lawyer to represent them. Their matter will be heard sometime in December, 2016.
Shantez Mintos a resident of Butlers Village has been charged with unlawful possession of firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and illegal importation of Firearm.
Carlisle Clarke Jr of Fountain Village was charged for Manslaughter. Clarke told the Court that he was not being represented by anyone. Her Ladyship advised him to get a lawyer, because his charge is very serious. His hearing is set to be heard on Monday, December 5, 2016.
The other new matter is that of Aquino Percival who was charged for robbery. He indicated to the Court that he was unrepresented because he could not afford a lawyer. Her Ladyship told him that she cannot assign a lawyer because he is not charged with Murder. His hearing is set for December Wednesday, December 7, 2016.
Lawton Forbes, a resident of Hamilton Estate, had his matter withdrawn. The Prosecution noted that they were uninterested with the continuation of the matter. Forbes ‘breathe a sigh of relief’ when the judge told him that his matter was dismissed. Forbes, who was allegedly charged for robbing Xpetrol Gas Station on August 8 2014, first trial ended with a hung jury. However, he will remain remanded at Her Majesty’s Prison for another charge.