Murder trial of Asher James enters third day

courtThe State continues to present its evidence in the murder trial of Asher James which is now entering its third day at the High Court in Roseau.

James is accused of using a cutlass on the night of September 20, 2013 to inflict several wounds to Kenny George resulting in his death at Watten Waven.

Those who have testified so far are Delma Charles, a nurse who is the sister of the deceased, Dr. Mallet Marie, Magdalene Bruno and Julius George, the father of the deceased.

Dr. Marie was on call when the body arrived, accompanied by the police, on a Lynhurst funeral vehicle at 9.38 pm on the day in question. He said there was no pulse, George was not breathing, his pupils were fixed and dilated and after examining the body, he pronounced it dead at 9.40 pm. He then issued three death cards.

He told the court that he did a complete examination on the body and saw several injuries. He spoke of a 26 by 10 cm laceration on the neck which left the head hanging to the right and the cervical vertebrate was cut.

“In other words, he had a broken neck,” he told the court.

Dr. Mallet said tissue from the left lung could be seen and there was a 9 by 5 cm laceration to the shoulder which went all the way through the shoulder joint and also an 8 by 5.5 cm laceration, which he labeled a “defensive wound,” which cut the bone, muscle and tendon on the left elbow.

The doctor also spoke about a 14 by 7 laceration to the lateral aspect of the mid tigh.

According to Dr. Marie, a 26 by 10 cm laceration broke the first rib and exposed the lung tissue and for that to have happened “significant force had to be used.”

In his opinion, “ a sharp object could have caused injuries such as a knife or cutlass.”

Magdalene Bruno testified about seeing the body on the night in question in the yard of Sylvester Soanes, where the incident took place.

Julius George, father of the deceased, spoke about receiving a call on that evening by his daughter and he went to Soanes’ where he met onlookers and the police. He said he tried to get past the caution tape, put in place by the police, but was stopped and when he spoke to the police, he was then allowed in where he saw his son lying in what appeared to be a “portion of blood.”

Under cross-examination from defense counsel, Geoffrey Letang, he denied getting any reports of threats made by his son to Asher James from the parents of the accused.

He, however, admitted that his deceased son had kicked James’ dog since it had attacked him on the road.

George further denied making threats and issuing insulting language to James and also denied that his son was always armed with a cutlass and had threatened to kill James.

Defense lawyer, Letang also made reference to a report that his client was alleged to have made to the police about George but the father of the deceased denied knowing about such.

Sherma Dyrample leads the States case assisted by Fernillia Felix and Kalita Benjamin. Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Evalina Baptiste is also in attendance. Ann Riviere is also assisting the defense. A three man, six woman jury is hearing the case presided over by Justice Errol Thomas.

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2 Comments

  1. Yanif
    May 27, 2016

    Justice for bosco

  2. Face the Facts
    May 26, 2016

    I am unable to comprehend that some people could be so wicked to harm, injure and kill their fellow people. They no longer fight these days (which they really should not), it is with cutlass and guns.
    What will it take to give especially the young an anger management course? While at it they should be taught, discipline, love and respect, It appears these are non-existent in their hearts and minds.
    His dog should not have been on the road. There should be a law against that.
    I note why he kicked the dog since it attacked him. Some dogs are ferocious. The dog could have badly injured him and even killed him.
    This should not have resulted in attacking the man with a cutlass with the intent to kill. The fact he was cut on the neck depicts that intent.
    Doctors and nurses in your position, you must have a strong stamina to withstand viewing and also treating them.
    For the Court, I visualize how difficult it is for you to listen to and view the pictures.

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