91 matters set for hearing at Criminal Assizes

A total of 91 matters are set for hearing during the September 2015 Criminal Assizes, at the High Court in Kingstown.

Of that figure, the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will be tasked with the responsibility of tackling 30 murder matters,{{more}} 10 cases of rape and 16 trials for persons having sexual intercourse with girls under the age of 13, among other cases.

One of the murder cases down for hearing is the trial of George “Chocolate” Franklyn, who will answer to 24 charges, including for the murder of his 35-year-old wife, Ingrid Jack-Franklyn and of Marva James, a 48-year-old vendor on September 13, 2011, at Coconut Range, Campden Park.

Franklyn is also charged with four counts of intent to murder Desroy Lavia, 19, of Owia; Sharon James, 29, clerk; Desroy Jack, 30, labourer, and Nolly Jack, 45, fisherman. He is charged with two counts of wounding with intent and three counts of criminal trespass, for entering the dwelling houses of Marva James, and Nolly Jack, who is now deceased.

Two counts of unlawfully discharging a firearm at Sharon James and Desroy Lavia, five counts of possession of a .45 pistol with intent to injure Ingrid Jack-Franklyn, Marva James, Desroy Lavia, Desroy Jack and Simeon James were also laid against him. He is charged with one count each for possession of a .45 pistol and four rounds of .45 ammunition; four counts of grievous bodily harm on Ingrid Jack-Franklyn, Simeon James, Desroy Jack and Marva James.

Another of the matters down for hearing is the case McCarthy “DJ” Patterson, 32, who will answer to the charge of murder of 12-year-old Dwayne Stephon Miller in November 2011.

Miller’s decomposed body was found by police in that same month, with the assistance of Patterson, in an area of the Layou mountains, known as “Hunt Hole”, five weeks after the boy went missing from his London Road, Layou home.

Patterson is also charged with intent to commit the offence of murder on Jerramie Phillips of Layou at Happy Hill Mountain on November 3.

Justice Kathy-Ann Latchoo is presiding over the assizes.

Director of Public Prosecutions Colin Williams heads the cases for the crown and is being assisted by Assistant DPP Colin John, crown counsels Carl Williams, Sejilla McDowall and Karim Nelson.(KW)