2011 Criminal Assizes begin

Twenty five murder cases and seven rape matters are just a few of the cases that make up the January 2011 Criminal Assizes list.

The assizes, which officialy opened on Tuesday, January 18, will see the prosecution tackling 55 cases and one sentencing hearing.{{more}}

Some of the cases up for hearing include the trial of Ottley Hall resident Atiba Bess, 17, who 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.

Also included on the list is the murder trial of Police Constable Ercisson Harris. Harris 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 also 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 Woodley’s mother and stepfather in December 2004.

Shannet Cumberbatch will also have her day in court to answer to the charge of the murder of Rakeesh Sutherland on October 10, 2008, at Queen’s Drive.

Marlon Stokes and Roland Gumbs are jointly charged with the August 2008 murder of Atiba “Crimo” Waldron at a gas station in Pembroke.

There were no guilty pleas recorded at the arraingment of prisoners.

Justice Gertel Thom will preside over the assizes.(KW)