The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) has upheld the appeal of Sherman Webb of Kingshill against his 2012 murder conviction.
Webb was given a life sentence by Justice Bernie Stephenson after he was found guilty of the murder of Corey Rohan Poleon of St Lucy, Barbados.
But the ECSC, now meeting in Dominica, has quashed his conviction and ordered a retrial.
Webb’s lawyer, Peter Alleyne, had four grounds of appeal; 1. That the trial Judge misdirected when she failed to explain to the jury accident in law; 2. The trial Judge failed to properly address the jury on the law governing self defense; 3. The trial judge failed to address the issue or defense of accident and 4. She was biased and prejudice towards his client.
The Judges, however, dismissed his first ground of appeal and upheld ground two and concluded that the trial Judge gave directions in “a vacuum.”
“The Judge did not properly put to the jury the issue of self defense…her treatment of the defense of the accused was quite dismissive. The appeal against the conviction is allowed and the sentence quashed, the matter is remitted to the high court where the appellant is to retried for murder.”
State attorney in the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Fernillia Felix conceded that the trial Judge did not adequately put the case of Webb which was that of “self defense” to the jury and also asked for a retrial in the matter.
According to information revealed, Poleon, a former University of the West Indies (UWI) student visited Dominica in February of 2009 and again on August 3, 2009 to meet Webb. The two men had allegedly met via the Internet. Poleon’s family members reported him missing after he failed to return home to Barbados. His mortal remains were later found under the floorboards of a small wooden house in Elmshall, Dominica.
Webb allegedly, took Poleon to the heights of River Claire in Elmshall to a little “wooden shack” where he “chopped him on both sides of his neck” causing him to bleed to death.
Samples of the remains unearthed by police were taken to Jamaica and Barbados for testing and were confirmed to be those of Corey Poleon. Sherman Webb of Kingshill, Dominica, was later charged by the police with the murder of Poleon, aged 23 years between August 31, 2009 and March 18, 2010.
Police removed the floorboards and dug a hole where skeletal remains of the deceased were recovered along with a greenish rubber wristband bearing his name.
Investigators reportedly found several items of paraphernalia related to some form of satanic ritual at Webb’s home.
Defense attorneys will always try to get loopholes as in this case. If you ever have that man acquitted, you will answer to God. The man deserves the full brunt of the law, life imprisonment without parole.
He has not yet been charged for performing an indignity to a body. This is a serious offense.
The man is dangerous. He is playing tricks on the Court and is trying for him to be acquitted.
How many times can he be re-tried? How many re-trials is he allowed? There should be a limit to re-trials.
He invited/lured the man into the woods. What self defense is that? He knew what he was up to. The victim was helpless against his evil tactics.
To hide the body is another proof of his crime. He hid the body thinking it will not be found and he will not be suspected. Now he is fighting tooth and nails to be acquitted. I hope you are not.
Justice for Corey Poleon!
Tell the Facts:
You have written a good Comment.
The more I research the story and read the recent comments the more I can see the self defence breaking down.
The basis for the appeal is based on the judge not properly instructing the jury regarding self defence. This seems to be true. But even if the jury was not properly instructed it does not mean the facts support self defence.
The story as given by Webb himself shows that he planned certain moves before the actual killing. His actions show intention leading up to his so called self defence. These were actions he would not have made if he was not planning to kill the victim.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Many of these comments are missing the point. One can argue self defense. It is his right to do so. The judge was supposed to explain to the jury how and when self defense applies and what the legal implications are. Apparently she did not do so adequately. He has not been set free. He will be retried and a jury will have the benefit of the afrementioned explanation and I have no doubt they will still return a verdict of guilty.
He should be fighting the death penalty.
After all these years of murder trials in the region, one would have thought that by now ALL the judges would have known how to direct/advise/warn the jurors so as to avoid these technicalities. Is that a sign of incompetence within the judge pool in the region? I am a bit disturbed.
Money is really the root of evil. IF he did it to his friend who knows what will he do next. I see of clients turned on their lawyers in court. I would like it to happen so that they know who they dealing with. I hope
Poleon mother is praying hard for her son’s justice.
Sherman web trial again!!!!!!!!!!!!! How many trials will he have.???????? It seems like he killed the Poleon multiple time hence the reason why.
I really want him to replicate the day/night of the event with his lawyer Peter Alleyne so we can see what really happened. If something terrible happens we will claim self defense.
Dominican taxpayers are paying for his continued re-trials. These criminals do not care.
If Dominica is poor, consider those criminals who are receiving free representation at the expense of the State. This money could be put to better use for programs which will help well-meaning nationals to also better themselves. This also includes housing for the poor, the homeless.
The government has to dish out that money to their attorneys. This is why their punishment should be harsh as a deterrent for crimes.
Crimes, and some vicious ones escalate and they get free representation. Who should have pity on them? They must not go Scot Free. They owe much to the nation. Keep them in prison and give them hard labor.
Self defense dead man can’t talk. You all are trying to set him free coming with self defense. God knows what happended. Afrter he killed and buried ended up missing. IF he did once he will do it again
Fernillia Felix conceded that the trial Judge did not adequately put the case of Webb which was that of “self defense” to the jury and also asked for a retrial in the matter.–News Article
\”Self defense!\” Against what or whom? Was Sherman defending himself against the demons that he allowed into his mind, but his weapon ended up in the neck of his friend two times.? Why did he have that cutlass with him in the first place?
I remember reading in the news article about his trial, he said: \”I still do not think that I killed Corey\” so why did he hide the body and kept that secret to himself? Why did he not report it immediately.
I cannot perceive where that situation has anything to do with \”self defense\”, nor \”accident\” for which one of the two was it?
Sherman Webb should remain behind bars for the rest of his Life–whatever reason for his action, it was all about evil and the work of evil is against God\’s Laws.
It does appear that the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court has grounds for an appeal.
Webb’s lawyer will play the self defence card and much will depend on this.
However, this was such an incredible horrific murder made complicated by the witchcraft implications. Will the court accept Webb’s testimony of the supernatural (visible!) manifestation of the evil presence that came into the room
Because this is what Webb was allegedly defending himself against.
What I can tell you is that Webb knew nothing about exorcism. This was not an exorcism. Webb involved himself with the occult. By doing so he allowed the devil a place in his life. The powers of darkness overcame him.
I caution people to stay away from the occult. Have nothing to do with witchcraft, voodoo, or any of their offshoot practices because when you open that door into your life you have no control over what will come through.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
haha three thumbs down, these people believe their devil god is the real god…. if they don’t read they won’t learn…. keep educating pastor
Are you one of those? It appears as if you are proud of what they do. Their action is against God – ungodly.
The Church teaches against the occult and dabbing in it. It is dangerous and playing with fire. It is nothing to be proud of, encourage and exalt.
In the end, as they are dying and when they die, they will see their sins as scarlet and will regret it. They will condemn themselves. Hell will be their lot. They must be informed and warned. If they do not pay heed, woe to them.
God gives the grace of repentance to those who He thinks deserve it. It all depends on their heart and what they did. Will they ever be honored with getting this grace which will save them?
“self defence” a foreigner in your country..i am trying to understand how that scenario was played out,this guys were demon possessed or high on drugs oh what!!the presence of paraphernalia’s and what not…tells something gross took place
Yes, something gross took place. The devil showed up.
I wouldn’t want to be the judge who has to explain this. His credibility will depend on whether the public believes in the reality of Satan and demons. I do. But I have nothing to lose. I am an evangelist in a deliverance ministry and I am suppose to believe this stuff.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Why all this footdragging in a case that is so straightforward? The legal shitstem has too many loopholes! This is straightforward murder! The man showed you all where he killed his victim and hid the corpse to rot,what other evidence do you need? If it was self defense, he wouldn’t have to hide. Lawyers like to make themselves look good in their profession,therefore they don’t mind a criminal being on the loose! The way things are going on in this babylonian island,we who try to live clean,might as well do justice ourselves!
Things are not always as they seem.
Webb cannot get off by saying “The devil made me do it.” He is responsible for opening his heart and life to Satan. He had occult paraphernalia in his possession. He had made evil part of his life.
As we read the story it becomes obvious he planned this murder. He intentionally did this and did that.
The intelligent people of the nature island will be following the new trial to see if the self defence bit makes any difference. The judge will have to credit Webb’s testimony that he SAW a demonic presence come up in the form of wispy smoke and attack him. Not many lawyers want to say they believe in this type of thing to win a case even if it did happen, and it may have!
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
The man kill a first time and get away they want to let him go free again…jah sees u webb jah sees u
smh
Where does the question of self defense comes into play,does’nt any one sees this as a wilfull act of murder and then why would he conceal the body underneath his house. If that was self defense he would have reported the incident, instead of concealing it? Lets suppose the Trial Judge had given him a lighter sentence, that would be OK for the accused lawyer, Mr. Alleyne u are right to seek a 4 yrs. sentence for ur client, that’s what murderers get now for taking another one’s life. I wish u good luck
BEB:
You have made a good point. There is nothing that points to self defence. This has guilt written all over it.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
what i’m i reading there na? jail mister smdh… he even had satanic stuff oh your the devil.. smh RIP feller…
All you doh tired fight tooth and nail to free criminals? Smfh
I would make him rot in jail.
For goodness sake ,please lawyers don’t pave the way to hell!
1 if it was an acccident why didn’t he call the cops instead of disposing him like gabage?
2 if it was self defense why didn’t he call the cops instead of getting read of the body.?
To all these lawyers who care more about money ,these people have family who love them and will not see their love ones any more,but here you are trying to get a murder to walk free. I jhope he don’t do you the same when you ask to be paid.
I hope is pro bono
most lawyers are in hell
Another murderer let “almost” loose due to incompetence. Mark my words, whomever is the judge on the BIG child abuse case if it ever comes to trial will either let them guys loose due to “technicalities” or deliberately misdirect the jury, or fail to properly direct the jury which will result in them walking eventually. In other words, somebody will deliberately put cutlass in that
Always Assertive!