Lovelace found guilty of murdering 12-year-old girl

For a second time in less than five years, the man accused of murdering Sion Hill resident Lokisha Nanton in 2002 has been found guilty.{{more}}

On Wednesday, July 15, after nearly two and half-hours of tense deliberation, a 12 member mixed jury unanimously found Patrick Lovelace guilty of the murder of the young steel pan player.

As police officers led him back to Her Majesty’s Prison, when asked how he felt about the guilty verdict, Lovelace replied: “Them ain’t ready. Them ain’t ready at all.”

On July 2, 2002, shockwaves rippled through the nation when Nanton’s nude body was found hanging from a mango tree. Lokisha had been raped and her blouse tied around her neck. The post mortem report revealed that she died as a result of strangulation.

In 2005, Lovelace was found guilty by the High Court of Nanton’s murder. However, the Court of Appeal ordered a re-trial the following year.

As the foreman of the jury stood to deliver his verdict, Lovelace stood and gave the jury a long stare, but the jurors looked in opposite directions of the courtroom.

When the high profile case commenced on Monday, July 13, after the long Carnival hiatus, Director of Public Prosecutions Colin Williams, who had previously indicated to the court that he had intended to call ex-Corporal of Police, Dexter Hunte, said he was unable to do so since Hunte now resides in Bermuda. At that point, Williams closed the case for the crown.

In his response, attorney for Lovelace, Bayliss Frederick, entered a no-case submission, which was overruled by presiding judge, Frederick Bruce-Lyle.

In his submission, the senior attorney noted that there was no clear picture in the minds of the jury pointing to Nanton’s killer. He said that it made no sense in going through with the DPP’s request to have the crime scene re-visited. “If we go on the scene, what you are asking the jury to do is fill in the blanks of what happened several years ago. I am asking your Lordship to reject the testimony about the locus (crime scene) since it is unsafe to do so.” Frederick noted.

Frederick questioned the evidence given by star witness for the prosecution, Romona Caruth. Frederick said that there was no corroboration of her evidence, and the six statements she gave to the police implicated other men as Nanton’s killer. “There is insufficient testimony given in the matter. This case should not go forward and the jury should be instructed to return a verdict of not guilty,” Frederick stated.

Following the verdict, Frederick told Searchlight that he intends to appeal, and the matter of the inconclusive DNA will be the forerunner in his appeal. “The DNA results, you can’t convict him. The DNA said it was not him and we plan to appeal this,” Frederick noted.

The month long trial heard evidence coming from more than 15 prosecution witnesses. Lovelace elected not to give evidence in the matter. Lovelace will be sentenced in October pending a Social and Psychiatric report, which should be furnished to the court on or before September 30, 2009.