37 cases for May 2008 Criminal Assizes
By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
~~Adz:Left~~BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - NINETEEN new and 18 traversed cases are expected to be tried at the Basseterre High Court during the May 2008 Criminal Assizes slated to begin sometime next week.
Among the list are eight murder cases, six that were traversed and two of which are new. The traversed cases are those of Sheldon Isaac, Romeo Cannonier, Ruedeney Williams and Louis Gardner; Vinrick John; Joshua Roach; Fitzroy Challenger and Jamal Bradwhaw; Lumumba Matthew and Justin Bass; and Che Gregory Spencer.
Challenger’s and Bradshaw’s case was tried during the January 2008 Criminal Assizes but the jury could not decide whether the men were guilty or not-guilty of the stabbing death of 16-year- old Josh Smithen of St. Pauls. Smithen was stabbed in September 2006 during the opening ceremony of the Festival De Capisterre. A third person, Gregory Anthony Zakers, was jointly tried with the two but was acquitted of the charge.
The new cases are those of Leroy Benjamin Jr. and William Benjamin who have been charged with the murder of Benjamin Jr.’s wife, Michelle Benjamin-Weekes, who was killed in October 2006; and that of Defence Force soldier Louis Richards who is charged with the shooting death of Clyde Williams of the Old Road area.
Other cases on the docket include nine for various forms of larceny, one for rape, six for wounding with intent, two for shooting with intent and one case of causing death by dangerous driving.
All accused persons are expected to appear before the Basseterre High Court on Tuesday, May 13, 2008; the commencement of the May 2008 Criminal Assizes.
While there, each accuse will have an opportunity to enter pleas relative to the charges preferred against them. Hearing dates for persons who submit not-guilty pleas are also expected to be set while persons who submit guilty pleas will either be sentenced forthwith or sentencing dates will be set.
Justice Francis Belle will be the presiding judge over the said assizes.
