Michelle Weekes-Benjamin case begins tomorrow
By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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Michelle Weekes-Benjamin
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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE case in which William ‘Willy-Esco’ Benjamin and Sherwin ‘Squeaky’ George are accused of committing the murder of Michelle Weekes-Benjamin is scheduled to begin tomorrow (Oct. 20) at the Basseterre High Court.
The men were charged with the offence shortly after November 1, 2006, the date when Weeks-Benjamin’s body was found in the incomplete septic tank of a building at Rosemary Lane, Basseterre, which was at that time under construction.
According to reports, Weekes- Benjamin failed to report for work on Monday, October 28, 2006 at the National Bank and her co-workers raised concerns about her absence.
According to a police press release issued on Tuesday, October 31, 2006, she was last seen and or heard from at 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 29, 2006. However, investigations were conducted and her partly decomposed body was discovered.
The case was scheduled to be heard during the last Criminal Assizes but was traversed for hearing at the September 2008 Criminal Assizes.
Back then, four individuals, including William Benjamin (the deceased’s brother-in-law), George, the deceased’s husband Leroy Benjamin Jr. and Khoy ‘Red Rat’ Jeffers were jointly charged with murder. ~~Adz:Right~~
A number of weeks ago, however, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Paulina Hendrickson, told the court that she had filed “nolle prosequi” applications (which are entries made on the record, by which the prosecutor or plaintiff declares that he/she will proceed no further) relative to Benjamin Jr. and Jeffers. The applications were accepted by the court and both men were informed that they were freed of the charge and therefore free to leave the court.
Tomorrow morning, a 12-member jury is expected to be impaneled to sit on the case. In excess of 20 prosecution witnesses are expected to be called and, as understood by this media house, Queen’s Counsel Dr. Richard Cheltenham of Barbados will be the lead prosecutor during the trial.
The accused men’s defence counsel is Hesketh Benjamin.
Resident Judge, His Lordship Justice Francis Belle will preside over the case.
