BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - TWO Nevisians are currently standing trial at the Nevis High Court for the raping and robbing a female; an offence that was allegedly committed on November 23, 2010.
The trial began yesterday (Nov. 19) with Attorney Dennis Merchant heading the prosecution team and the men are facing one count each of rape and robbery.
Thirteen witnesses are scheduled to testify on behalf of the prosecution, including two DNA experts, Kevin Napinger and Thomas Wahl, the investigating officers and the victim.
The prosecution would be trying to prove that on the said date, the two men attacked the victim while she was working and bounded her hands, feet and mouth with duck tape. The men allegedly robbed her of one Kipling bag, one cellular phone and EC$10, all to the value of over EC$700.
They also allegedly raped her.
After the prosecution rest their case, the men, who are being represented by Attorneys-at-Law Chesley Hamilton and Denzil Hinds, would have the option of taking the stand and/or calling witnesses to give evidence on their behalf in an attempt to prove their innocence.
Meanwhile, two men who were scheduled for sentencing yesterday and today have been rescheduled.
They would instead be heard on Friday (Nov. 23) at the close of the November 2012 Criminal Assizes in Nevis.
One of the men, Kern Flemming, was convicted on November 12, 2012 of indecently assaulting a five-year-old while she was playing in her mother's bedroom on July 23, 2011.
The other male, originally from Stapleton Village, St. Peters but was living in Bricklin, Nevis, pleaded guilty to incest on November 13, 2012.
The man was charged with incest and unlawful carnal knowledge but pleaded guilty to the former charge.
Both men, having completed their Social Inquiry Reports, are expected to appear before Justice Paul Dennis on Friday to know their fate.
