Lawyer echoes call for implementation of legislation compensating innocent defendants

Prominent lawyer Kay Bacchus-Browne is calling for the implementation of legislation for defendants who languish in prison for lengthy periods for crimes they did not commit.{{more}}

Bacchus-Browne’s comments comes on the heels of a decision last week by Director of Public Prosecutions Colin Williams to discontinue a murder trial against her client, Colin David.

David, who was charged with the murder of Ashley “Seymour” Warren, was in prison since 2009.

Warren, a fruit vendor, died after receiving a bullet to his neck in Long Wall on January 22, 2009.

Prosecution witnesses in the matter did not identify David as the triggerman.

“You know what pains me about all of this? The guy spent four years in prison for a crime he did not commit. This has totally changed his life.

“I am wondering, in these cases, I keep saying that the defendants should be compensated by the State. You can’t lock up a man in the prime of his life, deprive him of being able to be a benefit to society and be with his family and then he just goes back into society with no compensation whatsoever,” Bacchus-Browne told SEARCHLIGHT, shortly after David was freed.

Bacchus-Browne said compensation should be awarded instead of having to sue the government and go through a long trial.

“There should be compensation, especially when the case has to fall down even before a no-case submission is made…” she stated.