Four men discharged in Morne Ronde murder

Loud cheers erupted outside the precincts of the Serious Offences Court on Friday, March 15, after four men walked free of a murder charge.{{more}}

Chief Magistrate Sonya Young discharged the men: Lee-I Wilkins, 30, a labourer of Edinboro; Rosano Andrews, 27, a farmer of New Montrose; Kimron Browne, 27, a farmer of Chateaubelair; and Shadrock Roban, 28, of Byera, of the murder of an unidentified man on October 10, 2012 at Morne Ronde.

Family members of the men surrounded them as they exited the courthouse and hugged them as they continued their celebration.

Prosecutor at the court, Inspector Adolphus Delpesche told SEARCHLIGHT that the charge against the men was withdrawn after applying the evidential test.

Delpesche explained that after applying the evidential test from the prosecutor’s code, the evidence did not pass the threshold.

Delpesche said despite the evidence passing the public interest test, it is the evidential test that determines if a prima facie case can be made out.

“We did that and we conceded. I do not persecute, but I prosecute,” Delpesche told SEARCHLIGHT.

Counsel for the men Ronald Marks told SEARCHLIGHT that defence was never provided with any witness statements.

Marks added that in the beginning of the case, according to his instructions, he told the prosecution that the evidence against the men was fabricated and it was fabricated by persons who wanted the men in jail, so that they could steal the men’s crops.

Despite having been been discharged, it is possible that once the prosecution gathers more evidence, the men can be recharged at any time.(KW)