BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE High Command of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force has found it necessary to address and quash rumours surrounding Woman Inspector Venetta Wyatt’s involvement in the trial and sentencing hearings of William Benjamin.
Late last year, Benjamin was convicted of the 2006 murder of his sister-in-law Michelle Weeks-Benjamin. Although his sentencing hearing has begun, it has stretched over a number of sessions and is yet to be completed.
During the trial at which SKNVibes was present, Inspector Wyatt was one of the prosecution’s key witnesses and she provided evidence at the Basseterre High Court of Justice. At the most recent part of the sentencing hearing however, His Lordship Justice Francis Belle had indicated that he would like Wyatt to speak at the hearing before sentence is passed; a request he had made at the previous sitting.
The prosecutor informed His Lordship that according to his understanding, Wyatt was overseas on pre-retirement leave.
According to a police press release, the High Command was made aware of “much public speculation and insinuations on radio talk shows and on the internet” arising from a WINNFM news item dated February 14, 2009 which suggested that “Insp. Wyatt had failed to appear in court during the sentencing hearing…”
SKNVibes understands that one of the speculations made was that the Inspector has until sometime next week to appear before the court or she would be held in contempt of court.
Seeking to “set the record straight on the issue”, the High Command has provided a number of reasons for Wyatt’s absence. The High Command informed that she was already out of the Federation on pre-retirement leave when the request was made, and that no official “order for her appearance was made by the court or the defence, whose responsibility it is to provide witnesses in sentencing proceedings”.
“We therefore wish to inform the public of the following:
i. Insp. Wyatt gave evidence in the Benjamin trial in the September 2008 criminal assizes.
ii. Insp. Wyatt did not refuse to attend court during the sentencing phase.
iii. Insp. Wyatt was never summoned or informed that she was required to attend court during the sentencing phase.
iv. Insp. Wyatt is still a member of the Royal St. Christopher-Nevis Police Force until her retirement takes effect later this year.
v. There was nothing improper or illegal about Insp. Wyatt’s involvement in the trial. In fact her actions and subsequent giving of evidence in court assisted the prosecution in proving its case.”
The Inspector has been thanked and commended by the High Command and has been wished “every success in her future endeavours”.
At the most recent leg of the sentencing hearing (Feb .12), Justice Belle, having received all reports and listening to mitigating factors as prescribed by law, said he has to put his judgment in writing. The delivery of his judgment is expected to take place on Thursday, February 26.
