BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE September 2009 Criminal Assizes got off to a robust start yesterday (Sept. 22) with trial dates being set for the 60-plus cases listed for hearing.
Officers of the court and jurors turned up for the commencement yesterday and were greeted by presiding judge His Lordship Justice Francis Belle who welcomed them to what he hopes would be a successful assizes.
Justice Belle explained that the assizes would run until the middle of December with a scheduled break during the penultimate week in October to give way to the local sitting of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court of Appeal and the November 2009 Criminal Assizes, which would take place in Nevis.
He further explained that the court is scheduled to resume during the first week in December where other matters are expected to be disposed of.
At the commencement of each assizes, all persons having their cases listed will appear before the court during which time they would be arraigned. Those, whose cases are appearing before the Basseterre High Court of Justice for the first time, made an appearance yesterday morning and submitted pleas upon request by the court. While sentencing dates were set for those who pleaded guilty as charged, trial dates were set for the others.
New cases include that of Delvin Jeremiah Benjamin, who was charged with the August 23, 2008 murder of Steve ‘Steam Fish’ Pemberton, and is set to be heard on December 7; and that of Quinn Nisbett, who is accused of attempting to murder Denver Fyfield. That case is slated for hearing on December 10.
Other new matters include those of: Dion Taylor, who was charged with unlawful carnal knowledge; Shawn Hodge and Trevis Natta, who were jointly charged with burglary; Wendell Peets, who has been charged with forgery; Kimone Amory, who has been charged with unlawful malicious wounding; and Newrish Nital, who has been charged with fraud and false pretence.
Traversed matters include that of Bishu Isaac, Elroy Williams and Mekel Clarke, who have been charged with separate counts of murder; Malvey Drew and Lester ‘8-Ball’ Tross, who have been jointly charged with murder; Charles Philip Belle, Trevaughn Elliott, Perez Liddie and Calvin Ward, who have been charged with separate counts of unlawful carnal knowledge; and Lennus St. Jules and Keith Murray; who have been jointly charged with arson and aiding and abetting.
When court resumes today, either the robbery case which has been brought against Harsha and Chad Elliott or the breaking and entering case which has been brought against Francois Rawlins –which have both been listed for hearing – is expected to go to trial.
