September criminal assizes formally opens

court2When the September Criminal Assizes formerly opened at the High Court in Roseau on September 18, 2013, only two of the individuals who were arraigned, pleaded guilty.

The court has since deferred hearing the facts on the matter and also ordered a social inquiry report for next month.

One man charged with unlawful sexual intercourse, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on October 14.

The other, Ashley Marcellin, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Morris Pierre of Penville in September 2012, will also be sentenced on October 14.

Linden Lestrade charged with grievous bodily harm with intent, also pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution is alleging that in October 2009, Lestrade intentionally shot Greg Joseph at Castle Comfort. The matter is set for trial on November 25, 2013. He is represented by Zena Moore Dyer.

Another matter dealing with Jhawnie Gage, Edgar Peltier and Paula Arah Cecille Davis, has been adjourned to October 7, 2013.

On that date, the charges will be read to the three accused. Attorney Zena Moore Dyer, one of the three lawyers dealing with the matter, told the court that “Davis was not served with papers and she only appeared in court on the advice of her lawyer.”

It was later confirmed by the police that they had not served Davis and hence the adjournment to ensure that she was served for the arraignment date.

Meantime, Merlyn Thomas-Mann of Kings Hill charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent to her husband, is among the many charged with grievous bodily harm who also pleaded not guilty.

The court has been adjourned to October 1, 2013.

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3 Comments

  1. Neg
    September 20, 2013

    if only the court knew the full story, Merlyn Thomas-Mann of Kings Hill would walk free, a woman should not have to go though what she went through with a child in a big man’s body.

  2. "O" STRESS"
    September 18, 2013

    Cause she” know people that know people”. Two standards of justice in my Country will send the wrong message to those who commit crimes in Dominica.”SMH”.

  3. contact
    September 18, 2013

    that is slackness mr weeks.those responsible should be charged.why was she not served.It is not the first time.i personally witnessed in the mag. court when alex boyd knjght,daughter was to be arrested and the police did not do their job.you looked foolish.her lawyer also had no respect for the magistrate.this could not happen when my father was police prosecutor.

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