BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – HIS LORDSHIP Justice Errol Thomas yesterday (Feb. 14) announced a mistrial in the case involving robbery-accused Ourtic Gillard after it was revealed that one of the jurors was employed at the same establishment as the virtual complainant.
Gillard is accused of robbing the Calypso Bay, Frigate Bay home of Dr. Larry Betance and his wife Katherine Pereira-Betance on October 10, 2007.
Shortly before the second witness, Pereira-Betance, was to be cross-examined, His Lordship told the court he was informed that one of the jurors was employed at the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, the same educational institution that Dr. Betance is employed as a professor.
The judge explained that that revelation would be prejudicial to the case and he declared a mistrial.
He then told the court that it would be up to the Director of Public Prosecution to take further action with the case, because no announcement was made as to whether the case would be traversed to the next assizes or not.
The prosecution alleged that on the day in question, Gillard entered the home with a firearm and robbed Betance of a Kipling bag that contained several items including EC$40.
Eight witnesses were scheduled to testify including the couple and several police officers.
