The judge hearing the attempted murder trial of Albert Steven Jr. on Thursday discharged the jury, explaining that she took that action because the media had distorted the case.
Justice Bernie Stephenson Brooks made the announcement during the Thursday morning session of the ongoing assizes.
The case is now expected to be heard during the May assizes.
The Defence lawyer for the accused man had been cross-examining the complainant Mandela Andrew who was stabbed in his chest on Bowers Lane, Goodwill on December 26, 2008.
Andrew took the witness stand on day two of the trial and gave his version of what happened on the day in question at about 4pm.
DNO will have an update on the judge’s decision later.
Mandella doe worry wit wat ppl have to say . Jus have faith I god and u will win ur case bert and dem have to feel how jail feeling when der do ppl thing and think der can get away wit it god bless u Mandella love u
Mr. Stevens did not get away…the case was only remitted to the next assizes..which means that he still has to answer to the charge of “attempted murder” or something lesser…i see a bunch of ppl on here saying they trying to but down bert..but lets all be fair..he committed a violent act and therefore should be punished…is those type of thinking that have Dominica in the mess it is 2day….and the Judge was doing what the lAW demanded..what would be the point of going ahead with the case only 4 the verdict to be later overturned by the Court of Appeal when burt lawyer will claim that the jury was prejudiced by what the media reported…think ppl…
I think some of our youth like the five star hotel in stockfarm that why they go on like bad boys because they get evertthing free,if the justice system would put hard labour like doing some community work they might change
allu will free up on albert…. della doe even kno who stabbed him, he jus want to see bert go down da y he sayin is bert dat stab him.. smfh.. free up on de man, he MUST go free….
hope u never have a loved one in this situation
next time put your jury in a hotel without internet, phone, radio or local television station, until the case finish if you are worried about them being tainted by the media – lm- everything-ol. aye Dominique…
he nt the first to do a crime everybody jus want bert to go jail hmm i does wonder if allu dont hav family yes its wrong wat he do bt allu jus wanna see the man fall
wat till it reach allu door step stupes
Yes. I’m sure almost every single person who reads this has family and that’s why they want justice and bad people put far away from them. If it was my family that did such an inconceivable thing I wouldn’t slap them on the wrist, but ensure that they get stern and fair punishment so as to never even consider doing such a thing again.
mandela is somebody family too u know….i wat he done is wrong then he should get his punishment like d big man he is kmft
God is doing his work so haters take a step down.Albert aint no criminal so he won’t fall so
they should have throw him in jail!!!
go first
@ ‘gutter’ dats where u belong in d gutter..stupess
that judge not easy..what she wanted the jury to do.if the judge is not in favor of the jury’s verdict why get jurys. some please answer this. i am confused now.
The purpose of the judge is to ensure that the proceeding of a trial goes according to the law. That is why the judge is put in charge of everything up to the point of deliberation. Any occurrence that is realized contrary to the laws at hand then the judge is in the right to step in and make corrections.
The judges usually quote the laws that govern their decisions when making bold interruptions to the proceedings.
They want de mad sick 2 go jail wi die na?
No you’re not dead, but the victim was almost killed.
Don’t use a slang that’s meant for a form of empowerment and anti-violence to defend such a matter.
Let’s wait to hear the rest in May.
We should endeavor to give the benefit of doubt Justice Bernie Steven in arriving at the unusual decision to dismiss jury at this advanced stage of trial.
Still, it befuddles us as to how it is at all possible that in Dominica (given the smallness of our landscape, population, and widespread listenership to talk radio) the Court will be able to find and seat an untainted jury to hear this case – especially with this very mementos decision, which will surely give the issue more legs.
And yet, the Justice possesses the unenviable duty of ensuring that justice is fairly distilled, no matter who or what is involved. So any sign of jury interference, or suspicion of contamination, will require swift action.
We are reminded, in the case of dispensing the law, the old adage is always true that justice must not only be done, but must seem to have been done.
God is doing his work so haters take a step down.Albert aint no criminal so he won’t fall so
maybe we should get Chavez to get us some good judges because what here is a waste of time,because they way I see it you steal you go to jail you killing you free,we need to change the justice system
kill
why do you want them to kill him?every body make mistake and his punishment should be go served some time stockfarm
i see alot of hate for bert..but guess wat he aint go to jail
listen, I am guilty of glorifying the crime life, drugs and violence. when I was younger I saw all the dealers and criminals living carefree and lavish and vowed that this was the life for me….. now I am older and more mature I see the other side of the game. that there are people who are sincerely trying to make it to a better life. some die or go to jail trying. please society, do not perpetuate the situation where my kids will have their focus set astray by this way we are living. I see more and more that a gangsters life, as short as it may be, is the life that is more chosen by young people around me. we need a better way, and a better society. we cannot perpetuate a gansters paradise.
fink allu seein us beind bars..no sir
Weh boy Mandella, the old system in Dominica messing with you right about now. I don’t know when will it end.
The people celebrating, i hope one day allu doh fall victim to the same crooked system in Dominica.
The world is round.
it is so sad that the case had to be dismissed till a later date.
the police should have charged for GBH instead of attempted murder its a less charge but would have gotten a conviction.
I was very confuse of that case…..curtis said one thing and then i hear another in court……..whos telling the truth?
Speak the truth Mercy because Curtis gave a brilliant report about what transpired in court. I was in court too and I heard his report on the radio.
thaat judge is a wasteof time…any crime u want to commit and she is ur judge u will get away…stab a man and admit she will make u apologise and go home…burglaris she will make u say u sorry..say u not guilty and she will tell the jury go home…
Is this criminal out on the street? What is that judge smoking? Look madness!!!
Or drinking? CSSR.
Other cases like the previous murder trial got a 1000 times more press debate and they never say anything, all of a sudden they creating this bogus excuse.
That case not even popular nuh.
True. That is 100% ramgoat ramgoat diplomacy. She is using that to take the shame out of her eyes. She is suffering from remorse of conscience.
I understand the need for the jury to be impartial in dealing with the facts. We also know that people can never forget what they hear or read about a crime. So even if they try to deal with the facts it will take a mighty miracle for them to remain uninfluenced by what they hear. Maybe what Dominica needs to start doing i like OJ Simpson case and the case in the “A TIME TO KILL” story. Select jurors who have no affiliation with the case, no prejudice and prior knowledge of the facts involved. Like for a case like that….. the court should select jurors right from Kalinago Territory. (I would meet these three criteria). LOLThen the jurors should be kept separate from the public for the duration of the case. The state feeds and house them in a safe and healthy place.
The cases would go faster and be less influenced by people out there
Folks, the judge did not dismiss the case. The judge dismissed the JURY. This means that a new jury will be selected for the case.
Mandella Andrew stab himself.
may god bless u and ur ignorance. that is wat u will always be a watchdog, nuttin else in life.
u so stupid u like crime and violence I notice.
I do hope the Judge had a good reason for doing thaat and another criminal is not just going to walk scott free.
all the previous comments who stated that he should be jailed..this is for u guys.
hmm so you knew something? I hope you did not threaten the judge, remember the internet is not anonymous as we think.
listen denounce yourself as justice,you full shit.
now please charge the person who stabbed mandella andrew.. and free up albert stevens
they are all going to be charged,murderer or attempted and accomplices.
so long then..
What nonsense is that! You advised the jurors not to take anything said in the public domain as facts in the case but only what is said and proven in the court. So what is the problem with what is said on the road. Thats the problem with the justice system in the country. It takes too long to get a little justice.
Well that’s a new one
When will justice be served? This is yet another sad day. I can understand the Judge has to be impartial and try to be fair but this isn’t fair to either side. Those seeking justice will be stressed and feel cheated and The one seeking exoneration will feel he has to wait another 2 months to know his fate.
If I were a Judge I guarantee you even if it takes all night, cases would be done at a much quicker rate. Best I go and study law to make a difference