Camillus Parris gets rape & indecent assault convictions overturned
The Dominican man was convicted and sentenced to 11 years in prison in April 2011 for charges of rape and indecent assault.
Yesterday, the judges ruled that the trial was conducted in a manner as to cause great prejudice to the appellant and rendered his conviction unsafe.
This conclusion was made after consideration was given to the irregularities which occurred in the trial, the age of the witnesses, the delay in the reports of the sexual conduct of the appellant and the absence of adequate directions concerning doctors’ evidence.
Accordingly, the judges ruled, Parris’ appeal was allowed, his conviction quashed and his sentence was set aside.
Regarding the issue of a re-trial, the judges ruled that, in considering the nature of the offence, the public interest, the time since the offence was committed, the tenuous nature of the evidence and the length of time the appellant had been in custody [since May 2010], they would refrain from embarking on a re-trial.
He was previously sentenced by Justice Indra Hariprashad-Charles to ten years in prison for rape and fifteen months in prison for two separate counts of indecent assault. The sentences for both counts of indecent assault was set to be run concurrently, but consecutively with the rape charge.
The charges surrounded the rape and molestation of a nine year-old girl and a seven year-old and the incidents allegedly occurred in 2007 and 2008, shortly after Parris had arrived in the Territory.
Parris was represented by Attorney Patrick Thompson and Ruthilia Maximea in his appeal. The ruling was made by Justices Davidson Baptiste, Ola Mae Edwards and Gertel Thom.
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17 Responses to “Camillus Parris gets rape & indecent assault convictions overturned”
The father of the two children has been MURDERED...in Dominica a couple days ago (cut throat, no witnesses, no motive) and here today he is out free. Who will protect these innocent children with no mother and no father?
Fu¥£€%^#justice system is a waste of time. Every convict winning their appeal? what is really going on here. Might as well the court close down.
Since when the delay in the reports, ages of the respective witnesses factors that a court of appeal take into consideration.
Since when the delay in the reports, ages of the respective witnesses factors that a court of appeal take into consideration.
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can you post this judgment for the readers. I find the Court of appeal ruling interesting but I would like to know how they reach this decision