Delayed justice: Family worried that case may be thrown out

The family of murder victims Jenille Gill and Vonley “Twin” Llewellyn John believe that the preliminary hearing for the case in which police officer Ericsson Harris has been charged with the double murder is being delayed.{{more}}

On March 6, 2007, police officer Ericsson Harris was charged with murdering John and Gill. This includes allegations that he set their bodies afire in a house at Belair on December 15, 2005, but so far, two scheduled preliminary hearings have been pushed back.

Monique Llewellyn John, sister of Vonley “Twin” Llewellyn John said that she feels frustrated because on June 11, the preliminary hearing was pushed back for the third time to July 17.

She lamented, “We are not getting any answers and we not getting any response from the police. Nobody didn’t even give us a call when the guy was charged and picked up. Everything is up in the air and I am thinking that if this goes on, the court might just throw out the matter.

Viola John, mother of the deceased Vonley “Twin” Llewellyn John said that her son should not have died the way he did. “I need justice for my son. I just want them to come to terms and do something …I want justice.”

Rosetta Gill, mother of the deceased Jenille Gill, said she feels upset and stressed out because justice is being delayed. She cried, “I feel like I going crazy because I miss my daughter… But is Jenille’s two children that feeling it the most, because every day they asking for their mommy.”

However, Director of Public Prosecution, DPP Colin Williams stated that there has been no delay in the case on the part of the police. He said that the police have brought officer Harris to justice, but like any other case, the matter could be adjourned for varying reasons. Mr. Williams confirmed that no bias was intended.

Williams was quick to point out that this country has been hearing matters faster than most Eastern Caribbean courts and he expressed satisfaction with the work being conducted by the police.

The DPP said that while the system was not perfect, it used to take years before matters were heard in the court, but now things have been more efficient, people seem to have forgotten when the process was tardy.

He pointed out that the time lines set by the Chief Justice have been adhered to but often persons who had personal interests in these court matters would become impatient and insist that the matters be brought to justice swiftly.

Williams emphasized, “When you are producing, people get accustomed to way things are done immediately and they always want more, but a speedy trial is not the only way. We will not rush the court just to make people satisfied, besides the wheels of justice grind slowly but they grind exceedingly fine.”

Ericsson Harris, who was stationed at the Calliaqua Police Station at the time of his arrest is reported to have had a relationship with Gill.(SG)