BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE January 2016 Criminal Assizes came to a close this morning (Mar. 23) with 22 of the near 40 cases being disposed of.
Resident Judge, Justice Marlene Carter, in bringing to Assizes to an official end, informed that of the 22 disposed matters, seven went to trial, nine ended as a result of guilty pleas being entered and six ended as a result of nolle-prosequi applications filed by the prosecution.
She said the task of the court – in providing effective service to the public, ensuring that cases are disposed of in a timely manner, and ensuring that justice is served – is not an easy one but the work is being done to ensure that that takes place.
She described the Assizes as a long but profitable one and thanked the officers of the court, including the prosecution team, defence counsel, prison and police officers for their service and for working tirelessly during the three-month period.
The cases disposed of include that of Dwight Wilson who pleaded guilty to a sexual offence, Deshawn Leader who was found not guilty of attempted murder and shooting with intent, Darren Hendrickson who was found not guilty of attempted murder, Olajuwon Williams who pleaded guilty to unlawful carnal knowledge and Jacqueline Gumbs who pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
As at the end of the January 2016 Criminal Assizes, as was reported by Acting Chief Prison Officer Denzil Harris, there were 219 inmates at Her Majesty Prison, 193 in St. Kitts, 25 at the Prison Farm in Nevis and one at the Cardin Home.
He said these include 120 who were convicted at the High Court in St. Kitts, 39 who were convicted at the Magistrate Court in St. Kitts, 40 who are awaiting trial at the Magistrate Court and 12 who are awaiting trial at the High Court.
He informed that there are five females at Her Majesty’s Prison; two were convicted at the Magistrate’s Court, one is awaiting trial at the High Court, one was held in accordance with the Court’s order and one is a detainee.
The next Criminal Assizes is scheduled to commence on May 10.
