Vincentian pleads guilty to manslaughter in BVI

A Vincentian national living in the British Virgin Islands will be sentenced on March 28 on a manslaughter charge.{{more}}

On February 21, Keon Edwards pleaded guilty to the charge of manslaughter in the death of Monroe Thomas Jr. who was gunned down on the stairway of a night club in Long Bush on March 1, 2009.

In a report from the BVIPLATINUM NEWS, two weeks ago, Edwards had entered a not guilty plea for the charge of murder before Justice Indra Hariprashad-Charles, and his trial was set for February 21.

Edwards, who was iinitially charged with murder, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

The article went on to say that the prosecution had contended that on March 1, 2009, around 2:15 am, Edwards went to Club Diplomat in Long Bush, where he was denied entry by security guards since he was not properly attired. There was a discussion with the guards, but Edwards then pushed his way into the club. One of the guards then pursued him, and this developed into a confrontation between Edwards and the guard, during which blows were exchanged.

However, Edwards left the club and returned some 15 minutes later dressed in a different shirt. At this time, Edwards went towards the security guard with whom he had had the confrontation earlier, in a manner to attack him (the guard). Persons then intervened and pulled him away from the security guard. Despite this, Edwards still made efforts to attack the guard, and after being restrained on a number of occasions, he came within a reasonable distance of the security guard, took a handgun from his waist and started firing shots. Monroe Thomas, who was nearby, was hit with one of the bullets in his neck.

Edwards then went towards his vehicle, while at the same time firing shots. He then fled the scene in a red Dodge vehicle and was not seen again until he was apprehended in the USVI.

Edwards has been living in the BVI since 1996.