BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – OURTIC GILLARD is once again facing his robbery charge. His first trial was deemed a mistrial at the January 2011 Criminal Assizes at the Basseterre High Court.
His new trial began this morning (Sep. 27) and 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.
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 are scheduled to testify including the couple and several police officers
On February 14, 2011, Justice Errol Thomas announced the mistrial after it was revealed that one of the jurors was employed at the same establishment as the virtual complainant.
It was shortly before the second witness, Pereira-Betance, was to be cross-examined that 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.
Gillard is unrepresented in the trial.
Meanwhile, in other court news, a 12-member jury has unanimously found Allister Forde of Godwin Ghaut guilty of shooting at with intent.
He was convicted of the crime on September 26, of shooting at with intent to do grievous bodily harm to Troy McDonald on December 21, 2010.
The unrepresented Forde’s trial began on September 22 and he is expected to be sentenced in two weeks.
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