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UPDATE: Kenny Francis not guilty of charges

Kenny Francis leaving court minutes ago. Photo: VINO
This morning November 10, 2014 Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham in presenting closing arguments in the trial of Anegada resident Kenny Francis (above) emphasized the presence of a watch identified as that of being the property of Mr Francis in the home of Mr Marcus Huggins. Photo: VINO
This morning November 10, 2014 Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham in presenting closing arguments in the trial of Anegada resident Kenny Francis (above) emphasized the presence of a watch identified as that of being the property of Mr Francis in the home of Mr Marcus Huggins. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Approximately one hour after being guided by High Court Judge Darshan Ramdhani the jury in the case of Kenny Francis’ burglary and inflicting grievous bodily harm returned with not guilty verdicts today November 10, 2014.

Francis walked out of the High Court free of a criminal offense to his name.

See previous article published on November 10, 2014:

Watch, window screen key pieces of evidence in Kenny Francis’ trial

-Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham and Attorney At Law Anthea Smith present closing arguments

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – This morning November 10, 2014 Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham in presenting closing arguments in the trial of Anegada resident Kenny Francis emphasized the presence of a watch identified as that of being the property of Mr Francis in the home of Mr Marcus Huggins.

On the other hand Attorney at Law Ms Anthea Smith said that the issue of the watch should have been put to rest a long time ago. She argued that if the watch was tested there would have been DNA evidence to show Huggins’ prints. “They cannot tell you whose print was it because they refused to test it, they didn’t test it,” she said.

Francis is being tried for two indictable offenses; burglary as occasioned on October 6, 2012, with persons unknown, with intent to inflect grievous bodily harm entered the home of Mr Huggins and the other, inflecting grievous bodily harm on Mr Huggins on the said night.

The extent of Marcus’ evidence was that Kenny Francis was in a window which had a screen up according to Ms Smith. The screen was the base of her argument as there were two testifying officers one saying that at the time that they got to the scene the screen was up and the other saying that it was down while the photographs tendered as evidence show that the screen was well in place on the window.

She extensively questioned how Huggins received a stabbed wound as he claimed to have sustained with no medical report, not even lifting his shirt to show a scar wound, the wound was never described only to say that he had six stitches and a witness saying what he saw that appeared to have been a stab wound.

She also posited that it was not a surprise that Francis kept quiet because from day one he had said everything, he gave them his clothes, his shoe and he cooperated. “Without a lawyer he said all that he needed to say,” said Ms Smith.

“My question to you is; are you sure based on the evidence that was led in there…. There is more in the mortar than on the pestle… no one came to say Francis was or wasn’t at his business place… are you really sure?” said Ms Smith.

During his deliberations this morning Snr. Crown Counsel reminded the jurors of Mr Huggins being one of the key witnesses in the trial and had recalled that during the night of the incident he had held on to the hand of Mr Francis at which time its suggested the watch broke free and was later retrieved from the home of Huggins by police officer.

He also alluded to the fact that Francis did admit that the watch was indeed his. He pointed out that Huggins testified that on the morning in question Francis’ body was half way through the window of Huggins’ home.

According to Graham based on the evidence led in the case Francis was on a mission to seek revenge against Huggins as there was an altercation between the two on the September 28, 2012 which resulted in Francis sustaining an injury to one of his eyes.

“The following day a Detective Constable saw Mr. Francis and he had a red eye and inquired how it happened and he responded it was from the incident the previous day,” said Graham.

Graham described the scenario as Francis being caught with his hands in the Cookie Jar and to say that his watch was stolen during a robbery was a figment of Francis’ imagination. “No robbery never took place...that’s why he never went to the police,” said Graham.

“He was there motivated by revenge – with intent to inflict grievous harm …. Huggins was holding on to Mr. Francis’ wrist at which time the watch came off.. ,” Graham submitted. He also noted that there was no evidence that pointed to who actually inflicted the wound to the abdomen of Mr. Huggins on the night in question.

The trial is being presided over by Justice Darshan Ramdhani in the High Court who was left with the task of guiding the jury after which the jury will deliberate and a decision is likely sometime late this afternoon.

8 Responses to “UPDATE: Kenny Francis not guilty of charges”

  • don (10/11/2014, 17:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh yea
  • justice (10/11/2014, 17:34) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Amen!
  • VG Resident (10/11/2014, 19:35) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Who Jah bless no man curse ,I like this brother would be dissopointed if he went down in the system,listen Bro hold your head up an stand firm be a Man don't allow no one make you a clown
  • just who (10/11/2014, 19:45) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    injustice .he went to take a man life. lmo .our police force . what evidence . what a process of procuring evidence . tellme is the crown council for real. thsta how you prosecute. I had enough . release bob them now.*
  • bvi (10/11/2014, 20:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Happy for u my friend. Now live life and stay out off trouble
  • open wide (10/11/2014, 21:48) Like (4) Dislike (13) Reply
    i wander how much he has to pay deeds lawyers for he freedom
  • wize up (10/11/2014, 22:29) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    the crown cant win nothing these days.....just get yourself a good lawyer....poor police investigating; the police great at giving parking tickets-thats about it!!!!!!!
  • True (10/11/2014, 22:57) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    But now a not guilty verdict has been given will the victim allow Francis peace, the reason the alleged offence took place is because Huggins is twice the man of Francis and it was an alleged cowardly attack.


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