SPENCE ARRESTED FOR DOUBLE MURDERDNA LINK

Forensic Evidence has yet again allowed a massive breakthrough in tagging a suspect, this time in relation to the December 20, 2005 double murder of Mable Pollin, 74, and her daughter Veronica Frederick, 50 both of Glebe Hill Barrouallie.

On Tuesday, Police arrested and charged 40-year-old Barrouallie labourer Paul Spence, in connection with the murders. The DNA samples returned from the United States of America linked the accused Spence to both murders.{{more}}

Spence appeared at the Serious Offences Court on Wednesday where he was not allowed to enter a plea as the matter was an indictable one. The Preliminary Inquiry has been set for February 27.

Both women had their lives viciously snatched from them in the gruesome crime. They were found at their home at about midday with their throats slit. Pollin was found dead while daughter Veronica remained in an unconscious state until January 2, 2006, when she succumbed to her injuries.

Spence had been previously taken up as a suspect in the murder, but was released owing to lack of evidence.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Ekron Lockhart showered praises on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for assisting them tremendously in the testing of the evidence. “We have to thank them very much since we know that the testing is time consuming and expensive yet effective,” Lockhart said. Lockhart told SEARCHLIGHT that they continue to send samples in murder cases and other serious crimes abroad for testing to be administered. He said that the Police Force would continue to work assiduously in helping to crack unsolved crimes and at the moment are awaiting results from other unsolved murder cases.

Spence was also the headline in Barrouallie just over a year ago when he was the victim of gunshot wounds.

The results of DNA testing have so far been able to nab two suspects in connection with three murders between the years 2005 and 2007 with the latest being Spence.

On October 10, 2006 Ali Gibson, 27, labourer of Diamond was charged for the murder of Lakita Duke of Diamond when the results of a DNA test linked him to the crime.