Defense angered at the adjourning of murder trial

The trial involving the men accused of the murder of Atiba ‘Crimo’ Waldron has been further adjourned to a final date, much to the annoyance of defence Lawyers, who expected a conclusion on Wednesday, 13th May 2009.{{more}}

The prosecution, led by Inspector Nigel Butcher, made an application to the Chief Magistrate Sonya Young for an adjournment after two witnesses called by the prosecution did not appear at the Serious Offences Court to give evidence in the case.

Young, who expressed her anger at having to adjourn the case once more, said that it was because of the serious nature of the offence that she adjourned the case to the final date of Thursday, 21st May, 2009, to accommodate the two witnesses. Young ordered that the witnesses be summoned.

Defence Lawyer Carlyle Dougan QC expressed his anger at the request for the adjournment and said it was not fair that his client Benford Joseph, one of the seven accused, had to be held at Her Majesty’s Prison when there was not sufficient evidence to link him to Waldron’s death.

Lawyer Kay Bacchus-Browne also made a request to Chief Magistrate Young for one more witness to be summoned who would testify that her client Marlon Stokes was not at the scene of Waldron’s death. The Magistrate said the prosecution has the authority to call witnesses and that she cannot dictate to the prosecution how to go about selecting witnesses for the case.

Bacchus-Browne declared that it was unfair and cried for justice to be done on her client’s part. Prosecutor Nigel Butcher replied that the only the two witnesses who did not appear on Wednesday will be summoned.

Atiba “Crimo” Waldron of Paul’s Avenue was found lying face down at a Pembroke gas station with several gunshot wounds about his body on August 28, 2008.

The seven men who appeared at the Serious Offences Court in connection with Waldron’s murder are: Ronald Gumbs, Benford Joseph, Jawanza Fraser, Marlon Strokes, Orman Hannaway, Devon Charles and Kimani Williams.(OS)