A nine-member jury consisting of eight women and one man has been empanelled to determine the guilt or innocence of a Grand Fond man accused of killing his father.
On May 15, 2023, the High Court commenced the murder trial of Dorian Dailey accused of killing Morris Murry Dailey between January 9, 2017, and February 21, 2017.
The 62-year-old man is said to have sustained multiple injuries to his head and neck allegedly inflicted upon him by his then 23-year-old son. Following the alleged incident on January 9, 2017, Murray Dailey was admitted to the Princess Margaret Hospital until his death on February 21, 2017.
In March 2023, following a fitness hearing held at the High Court, a nine-member jury concluded that Dorian is competent to stand trial on the murder charge after questions were raised about his mental health.
Evidence was induced from three medical personnel who assessed the accused’s mental state and following the verdict, the court ruled that Dailey has a rational and factual understanding of the legal proceedings, hence the legal proceeding against him should commence.
On day one of the trial, the Director of Prosecution (DPP) Sherma Dalrymple who is leading the case, told the jury that the burden of proof lay solely upon the prosecution to prove its case beyond a responsible doubt that Dailey did
intend to murder his father.
She informed the court that the prosecution has ten witnesses two of whom are out of state, but an application will be made during the trial regarding their evidence.
The first witness called was Barthelomy George who told the court, he knew the deceased for 35 to 40 years and the accused for over 15 years.
He stated, on January 8, 2017, sometime after 11:00 p.m., whilst BBQing chicken in Grand Fond where he resided, he saw Dorian go to the home of his father Morris Murray Dailey.
About 30 minutes later, he said a quarrel ensued between the deceased and the accused.
The following day, George stated he noticed a few people standing near the hard court in Grand Fond who provided him with certain information pertaining to the deceased man.
Under cross-examination by defense counsel Darius Jones who is assisted by Peter Alleyne, George stated, on the night in question he was able to identify Dorian as there was a streetlight near the area where he was BBQing.
He further informed the court that his setup was about 30 feet away from the home of the deceased.
When questioned on his ability to identify the voices of Dorian and his father, George disclosed, “I spoke to Murray Dailey mostly every day, so I know his voice and I have known Dorian for over 15 years.”
The witness refuted claims by the defense lawyer that his evidence was hearsay.
“In bright light, I saw Dorian pass and go at his father home, and I heard them arguing.”
Following his evidence, the matter was adjourned for May 16, 2023, for the continuation of the trial.
Justice Thomas Astaphan is presiding over the case.
Such crimes we have never heard of before are now common in Dominica. Like, kidnapping, rape, child molestation, disappearance of people on sea and land, trashing of our constitution and constitutional rights, police beating and kicking of people, vandalism and arson, the oppression of women in the workplace, the unfair distribution of Dominica’s resources, the selling of our country to foreigners, gunrunners, money laundering, piracy, tear-gassing of the elderly in SALISBURY, and the list is infinitely endless. But there will be a National Holiday when the right replaces the wrong. The fear level is so damn high in this country as people are concerned for their lives – they keep their mouths shut and wouldn’t partake in any demonstrations in spite of the fact that they hate this government. Some Dominicans are moving to Haiti.