The trial of a Castle Bruce man who has been charged with murder, which was set to begin today (Wednesday), has been pushed back after the attorney in the matter stepped down.
Just yesterday (Tuesday) Peter Alleyne had requested that Justice Errol Thomas recuse himself from the trial at the request of his client, Daniel Elton Bannis.
Alleyne had told the court that he received certain information from the lawyer, who previously handled the matter, and his client that Thomas had made certain remarks during a bail application which is considered bias towards his client.
Based on that, Alleyne requested that Thomas remove himself from the trial.
Thomas, baffled and surprised, asked when such comments were made by him and Alleyne said he was told so by Bannis’ previous lawyer.
Director of Public Prosecution, Evelina Baptiste, then asked that evidence and information on the comments be brought forth but none came.
The Judge then ruled that in the absence of such information, he was not going to recuse himself.
Alleyne then stepped down from the case.
Witnesses were called into the court and told that the matter was not going to begin and the court apologized.
It is now set for later in the Criminal Session as Bannis attempts to get a new lawyer.
Bannis is charged with the murder of 74-year-old Julius Joseph, better known as Edictor, also of Castle Bruce.
Joseph was found dead on the public road a short distance from the Castle Bruce secondary school on May 14, 2013.
When things are done in haste there is a wider margin for error.
Somebody accused the justice of making a statement that might disqualify him from hearing the case but there seems to be a lack of evidence. The accusation against the justice was very second hand and nobody seem to know when the statement was even made.
Capital punishment was taken off the table years ago because it was seen things like this did happen and
innocent people were convicted because of judicial carelessness. Better be safe than sorry because the death penalty is so final. However I do believe certain murder cases call for capital punishment. All the more reason to do things right when the trial is being planned and throughout the proceedings.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Does the accused Bannis have connections in high places??
This is rather frustrating. Waiting for the wheels of justice to turn for my dad. I hope this murderer is locked up for life. Wish they hadn’t gotten rid of the death penalty.
The judge should summons the other attorney concerning the hearsay statement as stated by attempting attorney Allenyne.
The bar association should look into the matter. The family of Julius Joseph is looking for some justice and constant postponement only increases the pain
Since 2013! We are in 2016! Three years! What took so long for the hearing?
Alleyne, how can you state that Judge Thomas should recuse himself and do not have documented facts? It is like hearsay which is not legal and cannot be accepted in Court and against a Judge.
Alleyne, what was your idea? Is this how you expect the Court to operate? Should you not know better”
Good that the DPP asked for written evidence which you could not produce.
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Boy, them people can push cases wee, the murderer, will walk free again, and do the same. Boy what a country eh!!!!
This is very unfortunate and may well result in the accused being incarcerated for even longer. I would have thought that the alleged remarks alluded to by Peter Alleyne would be considered “hearsay” an therefore inadmissible to the proceedings in progress. In any case, this could- and should have been attended to before wasting valuable time in the court on the day of hearing.