The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
FRIDAY,
MARCH 22, 2013
VOLUME 107, No.12
the DPP. Chief Magistrate Sonya Young FOUR MEN ACCUSED of murder granted the adjournment. were discharged at the Serious When the matter resumed on Offences Court on Tuesday, March Tuesday, the prosecutor informed 19, after the prosecution withdrew the court that both he and the the matter. DPP, who had also perused the Rosanno Andrews, 28, of Old file, had come to the conclusion Montrose; Shadrach Roban, 25, of that the matter did not pass the Byrea Hill; Lee-I Wilkins, 31, of full code test and should be Edinboro, and Kimron Browne, withdrawn. 27, of Chateaubelair, were Speaking with THE charged with the October 10, 2012 VINCENTIAN on Tuesday, murder of Leon Daniel, 30, of Inspector Delpleche explained Owia. that the matter would have The allegation was that Daniel passed the public interest test fell over a cliff and died after because of its nature. He noted being chased by a group of that one expects that the public persons in the Morne Rhonde would always like to see a murder mountains at the north case go to trial. But the prosecutor western end of the pointed out that, “as a prosecutor, country, around 7 a.m. I have a duty to also look at the An autopsy showed that evidential test to see if the he died from evidence contained in the file is exsanguinations (severe enough to sustain a charge, and loss of blood) due to would have to make a decision as multiple traumas. to whether or not the matter The Preliminary should be proceeded with, based Inquiry (PI) was slated on the evidence.” to begin on Monday, He continued, “If the evidence March 18, and the found therein cannot pass the prosecution was threshold of a prima facie case, expected to call about 13 the honourable thing to do as a witnesses. prosecutor is to withdraw the case However, prosecutor, and do not waste the court’s Inspector Adolphus precious judicial time.” Delpleche, requested an Delpleche explained that the adjournment until the allegation was that the four following day to accused persons were seen facilitate his consultation with chasing Daniel when he fell over Director of Public Prosecutions the cliff. However, the evidence to (DPP), Colin Williams. The sustain that allegation in a court prosecutor told the court he had of law in order to make out a perused the file and he had prima facie case was not there. certain concerns with the evidence which he would like to raise with Continued on Page 3. Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS
Inspector Adolphus Depleche , prosecutor in the Serious Offences Court, said that the evidence against the men could not support a prima facie case. Right: Ronald Marks, defence attorney, intimated that he had indicated to the authorities that the case against the men was fabricated.
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Colin Williams, DPP, has given the Ag. COP until today, Friday, to lay charges against three police officers.
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Ag. COP Michael Charles assured that the officers will be charged.
Deadline set for Ag. COP action DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTION (DPP) Colin Williams has given Acting Commissioner of Police Michael Charles until today (Friday), to have a matter involving three police officers addressed. The DPP has written to the Commissioner of Police informing him that criminal charges ought to be laid against three police officers in connection with the December 5, 2012 shooting of police corporal, Milford Edwards. The DPP had issued instructions to charge Sergeant Julius Morgan, attached to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), with unlawful and malicious wounding, unlawful discharge of a firearm, excessive use of force and acting in a manner so rash or negligent as to be likely to cause harm. It was also determined that Morgan, along with constables Orlando Collins and Adrian Forde, be charged with conspiracy to defeat the course of justice. However, up to press time Wednesday, no charges were laid. Continued on Page 3.