Roro Edourre (left) and Renold Plasimond remain in prison. Photo: VINO

In the file photograph the Coast Guard boat (to right) and a one-man search party in dinghy were searching the are of the mishap. The second rock from left is the area where the boat was submerged and several illegal migrants were found on rocks.

Renold Plasimond and Roro Edourre were expected to stand trial on that day only to be told that the matter was traversed to the next criminal assizes which begins on February 7, 2012.

The men are charged with eight counts of manslaughter, smuggling of migrants and unsafe conveyance.

Through an interpreter, it was apparent that the accused men just wanted the proceedings to be over. Plasimond on a previous occasion had indicated to the court he was incarcerated for more than 10 months and wondered why he was not tried as yet. He also revealed to the court that he had children in Haiti that depended on him.

However, Justice Charles assured him that whatever sentence he may receive, consideration will be taken into account of the time he spent in remand.

According to court records, Edourre was the alleged captain of the vessel at the centre of the tragedy that occurred on Sunday December 5, 2010 when a fibre glass boat ran aground in the vicinity of Brandywine Bay. The aftermath of the accident left eight dead, four of whom were children.

The Crown contends that the vessel named ‘Jesus LA’ departed from St. Maarten and was en route to the US Virgin Islands. However, after being spotted by US Coast Guards, the vessel sped off to Tortola.

Twenty-five individuals were rescued and were eventually repatriated to their respective countries.

Meanwhile, Plasimond was been fingered as the alleged conspirator in the human smuggling operation.

Both men have legal representation.