Criminal Assizes opens

January 19, 2010, marked the official start of the Criminal Assizes at the High Court.

Included among the 55 cases down for hearing are 21 murder trials.{{more}}

Some of the new murder matters sent on by the Serious Offences Court include: Romano Hunte, charged for the murder of 14-year-old student David Glenn. Hunte 21, of Ashburton is accused of stabbing Glenn on March 4, 2009, in Belair, as he was about to board a minibus to Kingstown.

Ottley Hall resident Atiba Bess, 17, will answer to the murder of Sherene Clouden, which took place on December 8, 2008, at Edinboro. Clouden was shot in the head while standing near the public road in the company of two men.

Some of the long standing matters include: Police Constable Ercisson Harris, who will be re-tried for the double murders of Janine Gill and Vonley Llewellyn on December 15, 2005.

Convicted murderers Sheldon Bain and Webster Woodley are down to be tried for the murder of Livingston Primus of Sion Hill in August 2004. Bain is also charged with the double murder of Bain’s mother and stepfather in December 2004.

Delivering brief remarks, presiding judge Justice Frederick Bruce-Lyle urged all parties involved to work hand in hand to reduce the number of cases on the list. Bruce-Lyle also warned jurors to fulfill their responsibility by coming to court on time so as to avoid punishment by the court.

There was only one guilty plea recorded on Tuesday and that was on a wounding charge. Bench warrants were issued for the arrest of two jurors who failed to show up in court as part of their civil duty.(KW)