September Assizes begins tomorrow - 50 cases on docket

By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

~~Adz:Left~~ BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE September 2008 Criminal Assizes is scheduled to begin tomorrow (Sept. 23) and would see the Crown attempting to dispose 50 cases listed on the docket before the Assizes’ official close nearing the end of the year.

SKNVibes understands that of the 50 cases, 15 were traversed from the May 2008 Criminal Assizes and the remaining 35 are ‘new’ cases. According to information reaching this media house, seven murder cases are listed to be heard, six of which were traversed from the May 2008 Criminal Assizes and one ‘new’ case.

The traversed murder cases are those of William ‘Willy’ Benjamin, Leroy Benjamin Jr., Shervin ‘Squeeky’ George and Khoy ‘Red Rat’ Jeffers; Vinrick John; Joshua Roach; Fitzroy Challenger and Jamal Bradshaw; Che Gregory Spencer as well as that of Louis Richards.

The new murder case is that of Terrence Brown, who is accused of murdering Terrence ‘De Whale’ Francis. According to a police press release issued shortly after the incident occurred, “Investigations revealed that Francis received a stab wound while attempting to assist his estranged wife at Camps.” The incident occurred on Sunday, November 25, 2007 and upon arrival to the Joseph N. France General Hospital, Francis underwent emergency surgery but was later pronounced dead.

Also listed on the docket are seven cases of wounding with intent (some of which were traversed), two cases of shooting with intent, other cases of arson, sexual offences, robbery and house breaking and larceny.

A representative from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) told SKNVibes that the September 2008 Criminal Assizes would have to break just shy of the last week in October to give way to the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal, which is scheduled to commence its sitting in St. Kitts on Monday, September 27, 2008. Also, the November 2008 Criminal Assizes, which is to be held at the Nevis Circuit Court, would begin in early November and would see the DPP and her team traversing the waters to prosecute those cases.

SKNVibes also understands that the September 2008 Criminal Assizes would resume at the beginning of December and will run for a further three weeks.

Court begins at 9:00 tomorrow where accused persons will be arraigned and pleas will be entered.  After the pleas, hearing dates will be scheduled.

The Assizes will be presided over by His Lordship, Justice Francis Belle.