Crown has full hands for January 2009 Criminal Assizes
By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WITH less than a month to recuperate from the September 2008 Criminal Assizes which concluded in late December, the Director of Public Prosecutions and her team are now preparing for the fast-approaching January 2009 Criminal Assizes scheduled to begin early next week.
During the September 2008 Criminal Assizes 51 cases (16 traversed and 35 new) were scheduled for hearing of which 20 were disposed and 31 were traversed for hearing during the January 2009 Criminal Assizes. This was due in part to the month-long break which gave way to the October sitting of the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal and the November 2008 Criminal Assizes in Nevis.
While an official docket has yet to be released, SKNVibes understands that in addition to the 31 traversed matters, in excess of 12 new matters are expected to be scheduled for hearing during the January 2009 Assizes.
This media house also understands that the case of Patrick ‘Southy’ Weeks and Calvester ‘Cally’ Herbert is expected to be scheduled.
The duo was convicted of murder, attempted murder and having a firearm in possession with intent to endanger life, which the Prosecution claimed was committed by the men on September 4, 2003. ~~Adz:Right~~
The incident, which involved a firearm, resulted in the death of Gerard Saddler and the wounding of his companion Glen Liburd. During the May 2005 Criminal Assizes, the men were convicted on all three counts and Weekes was sentenced to life, seven years and 14 years imprisonment respectively while Herbert was sentenced to 35 years, five years and 14 years respectively. The sentences were to run concurrently.
Both men challenged the conviction and sentence at the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal late last year and won the appeals. The Court of Appeal ordered that both the conviction and sentence be set aside and the men to have a retrial.
SKNVibes understands that Ramie Gumbs’ retrial is also expected to appear on the docket. The young man was convicted of a July 1, 2005 robbery offence, but he filed an appeal against conviction and sentence which was granted. The Court of Appeal ordered a retrial.
Traversed cases which are expected to appear include that of Collin Matthew, Sheldon Cannonier, Dion Roberts and Tyrone Fyfield who have been charged with having a firearm in possession with intent to endanger life; Fitzroy Challenger and Jamal Bradshaw who have been charged with murde;, Che Gregory Spencer who has been charged with murder; Harsha Elliott who has been charged with housebreaking and larceny and also receiving; Mary and Akeem Christopher who have been charged with building breaking and larceny as well as receiving; and Junior Stevens, Rawle Benjamin and Glenville Maynard who have been charged with robbery.
The January 2009 Criminal Assizes commences on Tuesday 13, January, 2009 with arraignments and the sentencing hearing of William Benjamin who was convicted of the murder of his sister-in-law, Michelle Weeks-Benjamin.
