78 matters to be tried as Assizes commence
Over the next few months, prosecutors will attempt to tackle 78 matters at the High Courtâs Criminal Assizes.{{more}}
The Assizes, which commenced on Tuesday, have 27 murder trials and eight rape cases listed for hearing. The list also includes 14 matters in which persons have been charged with having sex with girls under the age of 13.
Some of the persons on the list to be tried include Odinga Foster, who will face the jury again, charged with the 2009 murder of Agassi Fraser. In June 2013, the court declared Fosterâs case a mistrial, after it was discovered that one of the jurors had a close association with the family of the deceased.
Also up for re-trial are Webster Woodley and Sheldon Bain, who will be re-tried for the murder of Peter Joseph, on November 29, 2004.
At a sitting of the Eastern Caribbean Appeal Court on Wednesday, November 23, 2011, Appeal Court judges Justice Janice Pereira, Davidson Baptiste and Ian Mitchell upheld submissions by counsel for the men, Kay Bacchus-Browne, that the evidence led in the case was prejudicial.
Trinidadian Rajiv Persad will act as High Court judge from May 9 to July 31 in the absence of resident High Court judge, Frederick Bruce-Lyle, who is on vacation.
Her Ladyship Justice Esco Henry, a native of Montserrat, who took up duties as a High Court judge on May 2, will also preside. Her tour of duty will end on July 31.(KW)
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