UPDATE: Judge rebukes murder accused for allegedly speaking to juror
Prior to the commencement of the session at the High Court this morning, February 20, 2013, Justice Redhead spoke sternly to murder accused Allan Battiste and Yan Edwards on hearing that one of them had attempted to communicate with one of the jurors. Justice Redhead said that it was brought to his attention that one of the accused had told a juror that he could have objected to his/her being on the panel because they went to the same school and that he hopes the juror makes a judgement favourable to him.
The Judge admonished the prison officers to perform their duties of ensuring that none of the accused come into contact with any member of the jury body.
However, Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham advised that alternative arrangements be made to prevent the accused and the jurors using the same passage way. Justice Redhead agreed to the suggestion.
Yan Edwards and Allen Baptiste are charged in connection with the murder of Keri Harrigan on March 16, 2011 in the vicinity of Long Look clinic on March 16, 2011, while Rodney Simmonds Jr. and Edwards are charged with conspiracy to murder. The latter charge is in connection with the shooting of Melborne Francis at Nottingham Estate on March 13, 2011.
Following the opening statement in the trial of the case by Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham, the first witness, Police Constable stationed at the Cane Garden Bay Police Station on General Duties Mr. Dorsey Tittle, took to the stand. His evidence this morning spoke of what he had seen and done after arriving at the scene of the murder on that faithful day.
A number of items were accepted into evidence some of which included electronic photographs taken on the murder scene.
Senior Crown Counsel Ms Christlyn Benjamin and the lawyers representing the two murder accused all crossed examined the witness.
See previous article posted on February 19, 2013
Harrigan murder trial to be done separately
- Attempted murder trial to follow immediately
High Court Judge Albert Redhead this afternoon February 19, 2013 passed a ruling in the favour of the defence following an application by the Attorney at Law for murder accused Allan Baptiste, to have the charge of murder and attempted murder be tried separately.
Lawyer Patrick Thompson and Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham had both earlier presented strong arguments before recess.
The learned judge announced his decision when the court session resumed shortly after 2 P.M. The defence and prosecution have both accepted that they will proceed with the murder trial first.
Attorney at Law Dr. J.S. Archibald, QC informed the court that he is likely to make a bail application for his client Rodney Simmonds Jr. who is before the high court for allegedly conspiring to a murder. This will be based on the length of time the murder trial is likely to last.
Mr Graham had indicated that he anticipates the trial will last at least one week and if necessary no longer than two weeks. He had also indicated that he intends to have the second matter tried immediately following the completion of the murder trial.
Attorney at law Mr Stephen Dainels informed the court that it would be challenging for him if the two matters are run successively.
The matter was adjourned until tomorrow, February 20, 2013.
This morning the jurors body selected and sworn in, paving the way for the commencement of the trial of the murder of Keri Harrigan and the shooting of Melbourne Francis.
To stand trail in this matter are accused Allan Baptiste, who is being represented by Attorney at Law Patrick Thompson, Yan Edwards represented by Attorney at Law Stephen Daniels and Rodney Simmond Jr. Being represented by Attorney at Law Dr. JS Archibald, QC.
Yan Edwards and Allen Baptiste are charged in connection with the murder of Keri Harrigan on March 13 2011 at Nottingham Estate , while Rodney Simmonds Jr. and Edwards are charged with conspiracy to murder and is in relation to the shooting of Melbourne Francis near Long Look clinic on March 16 2011 .
See previous story posted October 17, 2012:
Harrigan murder trial update: Jury discharged again!
- Matter shifted to February assizes
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – In a sudden twist to the Keri Harrigan murder trial, the panel of jurors was discharged for the second time this week today October 17, 2012 after it was alleged that the jury was compromised.
The trial was slated to start since Monday October 15, 2012 but was delayed since the panel of jurors was discharged.
The High Court did not give details as to why the jury was discharged the first time but revealed today that it was found that one of the jurors was allegedly suspected to be closely related to the case.
The matter has now been shifted to the February assizes.
Yan Edwards, Simmonds Jr are faced with the charge of conspiracy to murder Francis which occurred on March 13, 2011 at Nottingham Estate, while Edwards and Allen Baptiste are faced with the charge of murder in the death of Keri Harrigan, in the area of the Long Look on March 16, 2011. The trio have pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought before them. Simmonds Jr. is represented by Attorney-at-law Corrine George, Edwards by Stephen Daniels and Baptiste by Patrick Thompson while Senior Crown Counsels Valston Graham and Christlyn Benjamin lead the prosecution of the case.
Earlier today, Detective Constable Michel Etienne, was called as the prosecution’s first witness in the trial for the murder of Keri Harrigan.
Etienne, who is attached to the Road Town Police Station, described what transpired when he visited the scene of ‘gunshot fire’ along the Nottingham Estate Public Road in East End on March 13, 2011 at about 11 P.M.
Constable Etienne disclosed that upon arrival at the scene he spoke with a Sgt. Vanterpool and a police constable before examining an area in the upper and lower barriers of the area. He further disclosed that he conducted a forensic search in the area that was pointed out to him. He said he noticed one live round (7.62x39) of ammunition in the centre of the road. He also noticed an additional three 7.62x39 shell on the right hand side of the road facing Fat Hogs Bay.
Etienne related that he used photographic letters to mark the spent shells and live round before taking photographs and recording the measurements of same.
It was after marking this information as evidence that he reportedly proceeded to the East End Police Station where he was directed to a white Mitsubishi Lancer car with registration # PT43.
The fifteen-year veteran of the police force related that he examined the vehicle and noticed the left driver door, rear passenger door, front windshield had two holes; while the left rear panel had what appeared to be bullet holes.
Further, he also noticed the rear windshield was broken, a bullet hole in the left driver seat head rest, and what appeared to be blood on the left driver door panel on the steering wheel. He then had the vehicle towed to the Road Town Police station and covered same with protective covering
Detective Etienne further gave evidence that he did a reconstruction of the bullet holes in the vehicle and discovered that there were 7 main entries into the car with a combination of twenty-six (26) entry and exit holes. He later made a photographic album of all the evidence that was allegedly discovered.
Defence attorney, Stephen Daniels asked about a determination of the measurement of the shells recovered and also whether he could distinguish between entry and exit points in the vehicle.
He was also asked to say what calibre of weapon was used by looking at the entry and exit points of the bullets but indicated that he couldn’t.
The prosecution interjected to state that the witness was not an expert on firearms.
The three men were remanded until their next trial date in the February 2013 assizes.
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46 Responses to “UPDATE: Judge rebukes murder accused for allegedly speaking to juror”
okDanny. you trying to place doubt with your line of impossible to answer questions.
Incompetent person who made the list and this is not the first, incompetence on not having all the potential jurors vetted, incompetent at the DPP office not to have this and prior matters looked into, incompetence that they have not preferred charges against this B%^%^& who knowingly took up seat as a juror after being told that any family/relative to excuse themselves or let it be known why you cannot serve on the panel said NOTHING. There is a fix for these sorts and that is to bring down the full weight of the LAW upon their heads. If this is allowed to slide for whatever reason victims who seek justice should not expect it in this present system. What eeks me out is that these seem minor as those running the country has not address these matter.
I love you, Yan. Keep your head up baby.
Childish Behaviour