Lawyers for three Soufriere siblings, who have been re-indicted for the murder of their brother Harrison Williams, are seeking bail for them after the court of appeal quashed their convictions and ordered a retrial.
Documents seeking bail for the three have been filed and served on the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Reports are that the matter is expected to come up before a judge on December 4, 2014.
The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) had ruled that “errors” made by the trial Judge had rendered the convictions “unsafe” and the convictions of Manuela Williams, Loretta and Herbert Xavier were quashed.
During the trial all three were found guilty of murder and jailed for 15 years by Justice Brian Cottle.
After their conviction was “quashed” they were taken to the State Prison to await the decision on thier fate by DPP, Evelina Baptiste.
Baptiste has confirmed her office has filed “new and fresh indictments in the matter” and they are expected to come before a new trial Judge in January 2015.
“Having reviewed the murder cases and also looking at the nature of the type of evidence and what transpired at the recent sitting of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme (ECSC) and, also, considering the rights of the defendants, which are also paramount in making our decisions, I have met and informed their counsel of our decision to re-indict their clients,” Baptiste stated.
She explained that in arriving at that decision, the rights of the victims, the interest of the society and the general public and the community at large had to be taken into consideration.
Baptiste also stated that the matter was “serious” and the public and the family of the accused had “a vested interest” in it.
“We have decided on the seriousness of the allegations and sent the matter for retrial hence new indictments have been filed,” she said.
Meantime, the DPP has re indicted Kenrick Tyson and David St. Jean on murdered charges.
Kenrick Tyson was convicted of murdering Cecil James on May 10, 2009 at Concord and on March 28, 2012 he was sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Bernie Stephenson.
St. Jean was convicted of killing Clement James and jailed for 25 years.
Both convictions were quashed by the ECSC.
Baptiste said many issues will be taken into consideration in the cases.
“In reviewing the cases, we may find that some witnesses may have died over the years and some of them may also be not inclined to go through the ordeal again of testifying…all that will surely be looked at as we come to decide on the matters,” she said.
when you live in glass houses dont throw stones. theres infront yours might be in your door step. and who are you to judge them?
They are FREE…… the way i see it cause firstly the lead police investigator is 6 feet under case is finish before it even start.. mistrial!!!!
Is there a Poling Station at the State Prison? I guess that the prisoners has lost their voting rights
I applaud the DDP’s efforts to seek justice for the dead victims of those crimes. It is known that the accused committed the crimes but their convictions were quashed by the Appeal Court on technicalities. The incoming justice minister must do something about these technicalities which allow murderers to escape deserved justice.
I applaud the DPP’s efforts to seek justice for the dead victims of those crimes. It is known that the accused committed the crimes but their convictions were quashed by the Appeal Court on technicalities. The incoming justice minister must do something about these technicalities which allow murderers to escape deserved justice.
These people should not be allowed to walk the streets after what they have done. Even if the ECSC has quashed the judgement, the fact still remains that they did the crime. I remember when they posed like celebrities at the cameras when this incident happened. If bail is granted it just shows the major flaws in the justice system and sets the precedence to the public that any crime especially of this magnitude can be committed and not get a serious punishment. I would like to believe that i speak for most of the public especially in the Soufriere area, that bail should not be granted. I hope no politics will not determine the decision because i see the children of the convicted with Mr. Ian Pinnard so often in recent times.
damn shut up
so even if u see them with pinard??? mind ur business…. they are out and theres nothing u or anybody can do about that
No bail for those murderers. Let them continue to taste the life style in Stockfarm.
ur brain is really damage…..they are out like it or not
wat is dat lady problem nah..court of appeal squashed those cases—let Davidson go please